Swine flu claims 9 more lives in Gujarat, toll mounts to 311

Swine flu claimed nine more lives in Gujarat today, taking the toll to 311 since January this year, according to an official release issued here.
171 new swine flu cases were recorded across the state today, taking the total number of people infected with the H1N1 virus to 5,236 so far.
"Gujarat has reported nine swine flu deaths today, taking the total number of deaths to 311, while 171 new cases were reported today," the release said.
Out of these nine deaths, two were reported from Rajkot and Amreli each, while Surat, Vadodara, Banaskantha, Anand and Gandhinagar district registered one death each, the release said.

The Gujarat state government also claimed that 3,823 patients have been cured till date.
Meanwhile, around 10,000 advocates practicing in different lower courts in the city stayed away from work today due to swine flue scare for the third day.

Earlier, layers' bar associations had taken a decision to stay away from court proceedings till March 7.
Keeping in mind Holi celebrations, which is popularly called Dhuleti here, the Gujarat government published an advisory as an advertisement in major local newspapers today asking people to remain alert as well as take necessary precautions while playing with others in the wake of the swine flu outbreak.

Through this advisory, the Gujarat government asked people with swine flu symptoms, such as cold or cough, to refrain from celebrating Holi (Dhuleti) and remain indoors to avoid infecting others.
The Gujarat government has also assured citizens that the administration is "fully equipped" to tackle the disease.