Over 140 test positive for swine flu in Jammu and Kashmir

Jammu: Nineteen more persons have tested positive for swine flu in Kashmir, taking the total number of positive cases to 143 in the state, officials said. [caption id=“attachment_2117819” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Over 140 tested positive for swine flu in Jammu and Kashmir. Reuters[/caption] “In Kashmir division, out of total 1,23,948 OPD cases during the past one week, 18,409 cases of Acute Respiratory Tract Infections (ARI) were reported and 14 from various districts tested positive for H1N1,” an official Raj Bhawan Spokesman said in Jammu. He said that, out of 490 samples taken by Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical sciences (SKIMS), 138 cases were detected positive in Kashmir whereas in Jammu five people have so far been detected positive for the virus. “Out of 138 patients only 25 were admitted in SKIMS, out of which eight have so far been discharged from the hospital,” he said. The spokesman said that Governor NN Vohra convened a meeting of the state health officials to review the action taken to deal with the H1N1 flu in the state. He said that the health officials informed the Governor that the overall situation was gradually stabilising while a close vigil is being maintained. “A dedicated Respiratory Medicine OPD has been established at SKIMS and on an average, 300 patients are being seen every day. SKIMS, has also established a separate six bedded ICU with a separate entry. “The occupancy of the 32-bed Isolation Ward at SKIMS was at 40 percent. SKIMS has received 5,800 N-95 masks, 5,000 tablets of anti-flu and 150 vaccine shots for immunisation of the front line workers,” he said. He said that the Governor was informed in the meeting that a round the clock Control Room is functioning in the Directorate of Health Services, Jammu, and Isolation Wards have been established in all the hospitals and in the Government Hospitals at Gandhi Nagar and Sarwal. “Out of 37 samples taken in Jammu Division so far, five have tested positive. 11 have tested negative while the reports of 27 samples is still awaited,” he said. The spokesman said that after holding the review meeting, the Governor spoke to Union Health Minister and Union Health Secretary for rushing additional supplies of N95 Masks and medicines. “The Union Ministry of health and family welfare assured the Governor that 1,000 N95 masks shall be provided immediately. The director health services Jammu has already received 11,000 anti-flu tablets,” he said. PTI