Swine flu claims 11 more lives in Gujarat, toll reaches 197

Swine flu claimed 11 lives in the state today, taking the disease-related death toll to 197 this year.
"Eleven people lost their lives due to swine flu today... 249 new cases were registered, taking the number of cases this season to 2,886," an official release said.
Surat and Vadodara districts recored three deaths each today, Ahmedabad and Bhavnagar two each and Sabarkantha one.
Out of the 2,886 swine flu patients, 1,391 had been cured and discharged from hospitals, it added.
Health minister Nitin Patel today visited Rajkot to review the swine flu situation in Saurashtra.
Chief secretary D J Pandian and health commissioner J P Gupta held a meeting with district collectors through video- conference.

They also decided to write to the private hospitals and request them to provide free treatment to swine flu patients.

This follows Gujarat High Court's order that the government should ensure that private hospitals provided free treatment to all swine flu patients.
"We will take action against private laboratories if it is found that they are charging high fees for tests," Patel said in Rajkot, adding that he will request people to use the facilities provided by the state government.
The government said it had also initiated a door-to-door campaign to spread awareness about the disease.