Swine flu claims one more in city, toll reaches 24

SURAT: The death toll due to H1N1 virus in the city has reached 24 with one more infected patient dying at a private hospital here on Saturday. Health department officials said84-year-old Champak Modi, former president, South Gujarat Chamber of Commerceand Industries (SGCCI), was admitted to Girish Group of Hospitals withcomplaints of fever, cough and cold on January 27, 2010. He tested positive for swine flu and was being treated for the virus to which he later succumbed. Dr Piyush Shah, nodal officer, health department, toldTOI, "We have patients every day who are suspected of being infected with thevirus but the number is not that large. However, we are taking all precautionsand ensuring speedy treatment to H1N1 patients." Until now therehave been 146 positive H1N1 patients in the city of the total 698 who had beeninitially suspected of being infected with the virus. The H1N1 virushas so far claimed 24 lives in the city. At least five patients, whoare suspected to be infected with swine flu virus, were admitted to differenthospitals in the city on Sunday. Their reports are still awaited. Besides, thereare 20 patients who are receiving treatment for the disease in 14 differenthospitals in the city. Meanwhile, the health department has issued ashow cause notice to Mission Hospital at Athwalines for not reporting aboutsuspected swine flu patients under its care. The authorities have so far givennotices to 14 different hospitals in the city for the same reason. They havebeen given seven days' time to reply.