41 swine flu deaths reported by PMC since January 1

PUNE: The health department of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) on Monday said that 21 patients have succumbed to swine flu between September 1 and October 8. Since January 1, a total of 41 deaths have been reported by the PMC this year.

Since Ganeshotsav, the PMC has reported many patients, who tested positive for swine flu. On Monday, the Death Review Committee for the PMC noted that 21 more people have lost their lives to swine flu. The committee examines the deaths of patients. It determines with a prior investigation if the primary cause of the death was swine flu or any other.

On Monday, 5,464 patients were screened for swine flu, of these 211 were administered Tamiflu tablets. Around 12 swab samples were sent for testing and seven patients tested positive. In all, 132 patients are still in the hospital. Of these, 94 are still admitted to the ward and 38 are on a ventilator support.

Between January 1 and October 8, 299 patients have tested positive while 107 were discharged after treatment.

Speaking to Sakal Times, Dr Anjali Sabne from PMC health department said that of the 41 deaths, only 16 are from the PMC limits.

“Many patients are referred to the city as Pune has better hospital facilities for swine flu and other medical problems. The number of deaths has increased, however, only 16 deaths are from the PMC limits, others are originally from outside PMC limits,” said Dr Sabne.