Schools, colleges, malls shut in Pune, government to involve private labs.
Swine flu deaths spread across the country, claiming the life of a four-year-old boy in Chennai, while two more persons from Pune fell victims, raising the toll to seven today, as a worried Centre roped in private hospitals to join the battle against the disease.
With swine flu cases in the country surging close to the 1,000-mark, the Centre unveiled fresh initiatives to contain the spread of the H1N1 virus allowing private labs to conduct tests for the disease and private hospitals to provide treatment. Ninety-five fresh cases — half of it from Pune — were reported across the country today, taking the total to 959.
As government hospitals bore the brunt of the suspected cases, Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said the government, if required, would even issue “legal directives” to private hospitals to treat the afflicted persons.
Thermal scanners would be also installed at all international airports in the country to detect the cases, he added.
Pune, the epicentre of the H1N1 virus infections, recorded the fourth swine flu death when 35-year-old chemist Sanjay Tilekar succumbed to the virus at Sassoon government hospital in the evening. He was admitted on August 6 with complaints like fever and heart trouble.
Earlier in the day, 35-year old Ayurvedic practitioner Babasaheb Mane died in the same hospital.
Meanwhile, the Maharashtra government today ordered closure of more than 600 schools, colleges and professional educational institutions in Pune for a week in a bid to check the rapid spread of the swine flu virus.
While cinema halls and multiplexes will remain closed till Thursday, people have been asked not to visit malls and shopping complexes during this period.
The city, has so far reported more than 230 positive cases of the H1N1 virus.
“Over the last three days, Pune city has seen 128 fresh cases of H1N1 infection. The disease is spreading fast especially among students, which is a cause of concern for the government. We have hence decided to shut schools, colleges, private educational institutions and coaching classes till Saturday. While cinema halls and multiplexes will remain closed till Thursday, we appeal to Puneites to refrain from visiting malls and shopping complexes,” Pune district guardian minister Ajit Pawar said here today.
The administration fears the worst as two key religious festivals — Janmashtami and the Ganesh festival — that attract large number of people to streets are round the corner. While Janmashtami is just four days away, the Ganesh festival beings on August 23. “We appeal to people to stay away from public gatherings,” Pawar added.
