Spurt in swine flu cases in Delhi, hospital asked to gear up

New Delhi, Feb 7 (PTI) With a spurt in swine flu cases, Delhi Government today directed 22 hospitals, including five private ones, to set up isolated wards to offer treatment to patients affected by the disease. A total of 60 cases of swine flu have been reported since January out of which three persons have lost their lives, Health Minister A K Walia said. He said 17 government-run and five hospitals have been asked to make all necessary arrangements, including ICU facilities, for treatment of swine flu patients. Officials said Walia specifically asked the hospitals to keep ready ventilators in isolation wards so that patients can be given required intervention. The Minister issued the directive at a meeting he held with top officials of health department, National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) and Medical Superintendents of concerned Government and private hospitals. "Though there is no need for panic, public should also take due precaution for prevention and management of the disease," Walia said. The Health Minister also directed all hospitals to appoint nodal officer to provide all necessary help to swine flu affected patients. The Health department has been told to upload guidelines for treatment of flu cases on its website so that all hospitals could follow laid down procedure. Walia said testing for H1N1 cases is being carried out at National Institute of Communicable Diseases, All India Institute of Medical Sciences and Patel Chest Institute. In addition to these, five private laboratories also have these facilities. MORE PTI MPB RT