Mumbai: Swine flu is spreading to
interior parts of Maharashtra as the pandemic toll reached 40
following one more death in the state today, the government
said.
"Altogether, 22 districts have been affected by H1N1
infection so far in the state. Swine flu is now spreading to
interior parts of the state as well, though initially the
patients were from urban areas," additional chief secretary,
health, Sharwaree Gokhale told reporters here.
Asked if strict measures (closing schools, banning
mass gathering at festivals) would be taken by the government
to stop further spreading of the killer virus, she replied in
the negative. "There is no indication world wide that any
strict action has helped to stop its spreading. So, it was
consciously decided not to take any (such) action," she said.
Death toll climbed to 40 in the state including 23
from Pune, eight in Mumbai, five in Nashik, two in Aurangabad
and one patient each from Dhule and Latur.
On a query about stock of Tamiflu tablets, Gokhale
said the state has sufficient stock of the tablet supplied by
the Centre.
Pune struggles to get back to normalcy
Most of the educational
establishments, malls and theatres in the city reopened after
a gap of two weeks today as Pune, considered the epicentre of
the swine flu pandemic in the country with 23 victims,
struggled to return to normalcy.
Pune district Guardian Minister Ajit Pawar told reporters
that the decision to reopen schools and colleges would remain
unchanged and requested people to avoid mass gatherings during
the 10-day Ganesh festival which commenced yesterday.
Pawar claimed that out of the 23 reported H1N1
casualties, 19 persons were also found to be suffering from
other ailments that aggravated their condition after catching
the infection.
He appealed to the public to cooperate with the district
administration in controlling the situation arising from the
pandemic. The flu claimed three victims -- two middle
aged women and a small girl -- yesterday.
Some schools owing affiliation to Central boards have,
however, decided to continue with closure for another week as
a precautionary measure. Attendance at the reopened schools
and colleges was markedly thin as students sat in classes
wearing face masks.
Meanwhile, health officials said eight swine flu patients
were in a critical condition at different hospitals. The state
government has decided to increase beds at Aundh hospital here
to up to 1000, the minister said.
Bureau Report
