13 more, including six children, from Delhi report positive 

Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI: The number of swine flu cases in the Capital continues to mount with 13 more persons testing positive on Tuesday.

They include six children and seven adults, all of whom are being treated at various health centres across the city. Forty-two people are currently under treatment for swine flu.

Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, Health Minister Kiran Walia and senior officials at a meeting reviewed the action plan chalked out to contain and combat the situation.

“The meeting also looked at the possibility of seeking the help of private health care providers and rope in private testing centres. Though a final decision has not been taken, we are exploring all aspects to ensure that we are able to reassure the public that there is no need for panic. The situation is under control, we just need to be vigilant, take adequate protection and ensure that timely medical help is provided,” said State Health Secretary J. P. Singh.

While the State Government has announced a list of testing centres and hospitals for treatment of swine flu and advised people not to panic, several schools have asked students to start wearing face mask to reduce human-to-human transmission. Two more schools in the city – Ahlcon International School and Ahlcon Public School (Mayur Vihar-I) have shut down and will reopen on August 17.

The Capital is also witnessing panic buying of face masks and people rushing to government hospitals for getting themselves tested for swine flu.

Hospital authorities have cautioned people against flocking to heath centres, warning them that they could be exposing themselves to the risk of contracting swine flu while trying to be over-cautious.

“We had 561 people visiting the hospital on Tuesday and we collected 60 samples till 4 p.m. Our advice to people is that they try and get in touch with their local doctor before rushing to nodal centres for testing as this would expose them to the risk of contracting the flu from a positive person there,” said Lohia Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr. N. K. Chaturvedi.

Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital on Tuesday collected samples of 225 people who came over after having come in contact with two persons who had tested positive for swine flu two days ago.

These people were reportedly all in close proximity at a party recently.

Meanwhile, to promote awareness about swine flu and clear all doubts, confusions and myths surrounding the disease, the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences is organising a public lecture in the conference hall of the Institute at 4 p.m. this Thursday (August 13). Experts from the Institute will participate in the session.

There is no entry fee.