Swine flu claims 8 more lives in Gujarat; toll rises to 144

Swine flu claimed eight more lives in Gujarat, taking the toll to 144 since January this year, while 152 cases were reported, officials said here today.
"Eight more deaths were reported due to swine flu in Gujarat today. Two deaths each were reported from districts of Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar, while one death each was reported from Kutch, Vadodara, Surat and another area," Health Commissioner J P Gupta said.
He said that while 152 new swine flu cases were reported today, the total number of positive cases this year has touched 1,674.
Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel said that state and civic officials were doing their best to tackle the situation.

"Swine flu cases are on the rise not only in Gujarat, but across the entire country. Each person should take care of himself," she told reporters here.
"The state and civic administrations are doing their best. We have provided proper facilities in our hospitals, whether they are in Kutch, Ahmedabad or Surat. We have proper stocks of medicines and other needed facilities in the state," Patel said.
Meanwhile, the Minister of State (MoS) for Health and Family Welfare Shankar Chaudhari visited Kutch district today and said that the Gujarat government has decided to provide free Tamiflu tablets in private hospitals as well.