While Gujarat may be one of the worst-hit States by swine flu this year, with 242 deaths recorded so far, many other States are also reeling under the impact of the virus.
Rajasthan, Punjab and even Delhi have not been spared of the H1N1 influenza, with several deaths being reported from these States.
According to the Gujarat government’s Health Department update, 12 persons succumbed to the flu on Friday while 228 new cases were reported.
As of Friday, 1,299 patients were undergoing treatment in various hospitals across the State.
Central help sought
The administration has sought the help of the Central government, with the average death toll in the last 10 days climbing to more than 10. In neighbouring Rajasthan, the viral infection has claimed 68 lives from January 1 to August 17. Out of these, 64 patients were from Rajasthan and four belonged to other States.
The total number of samples collected during this period were 2,558; and 590 of them were positive. The maximum number of deaths, 16, was reported from Jaipur district, followed by seven in Kota and four in Ajmer.
Rajasthan is followed by Punjab, where 15 persons have died till August 17. As many as 278 suspected cases of swine flu were reported, and out of these 75 turned out to be positive for swine flu, Health and Family Welfare Minister Brahm Mohindra said.
The number of deaths in Delhi is lower, at four. Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain said the city had so far treated 1,088 cases of swine flu, with 889 patients being residents of the national capital.
(With inputs from Ahmedabad, Jaipur and Chandigarh)