After the death of 15 person due to Influenza A H1N1 (swine flu) in the state, the Punjab government on Thursday decided to establish ‘flu corners’ in government hospitals in every district. A total of 278 suspected cases of H1N1 has been reported, out of which 75 cases were found positive in 2017.

Out of 75 confirmed cases, 15 person have died. While disclosing this on Thursday, Punjab Health and Family Welfare minister, Brahm Mohindra said that the reported cases in the past few days is not a normal and usual trend. He said, in a bid to control the mortality and morbidity from H1N1, the civil surgeons have been directed to establish ‘flu corners’ in government hospitals to give immediate treatment to patients having cough, cold and fever.

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The minister said in a press statement that cause of deaths of 15 patients will be ascertained after reviewing the medical records by experts of the department in consultation with Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) in Chandigarh. Mohindra said the Health Department has identified 277 isolation beds in government medical colleges, district and sub-divisional hospitals and 268 beds have been identified in private hospitals as well. He said that a designated nodal officer would be deputed to assure the immediate health facilities for the suspected patient of H1N1 in all districts and the Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) are already established for quick action in all districts.

Mohindra said the Health Department has identified 277 isolation beds in government medical colleges, district and sub-divisional hospitals and 268 beds have been identified in private hospitals as well. He said that a designated nodal officer would be deputed to assure the immediate health facilities for the suspected patient of H1N1 in all districts and the Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) are already established for quick action in all districts.

Mohindra said that ‘swine flu’ is a droplet infection in which the virus spreads from one person to another after sneezing, coughing or using soiled handkerchiefs and other articles. The infection spreads from one person to another if personal protection is not used by the patient and patient sneezes or coughs in open. The persons who are adults and more than the age of 65 years, children less than 5 years, pregnant women, patients on immunosuppressants etc. have higher chances of getting affected by swine flu.Divulging more he said that whenever a case of H1N1 is reported in the state, drugs are provided free of cost to the patient. He said that the Virology Lab at PGIMER has been identified as

Divulging more he said that whenever a case of H1N1 is reported in the state, drugs are provided free of cost to the patient. He said that the Virology Lab at PGIMER has been identified as nodal lab for the state. Samples of suspected patients would be collected and transported to PGIMER and samples can also be sent for testing to Government Medical College (GMC) in Amritsar and Patiala.