Delhi records second swine flu death this year, 31 cases reported so far

New Delhi: The national capital reported the second death due to swine flu this year with a 30-year-old man from East Delhi succumbing to the H1N1 virus at a private hospital on Thursday.

According to a senior official from the health department, the man's condition was critical and he was constantly on ventilator support.

Also, eight fresh cases of swine flu were reported on Thursday, taking the total figure to 31 so far this year.

A senior doctor from Lady Hardinge Medical College (LHMC), who was diagnosed with swine flu is admitted in the Intensive Care Unit of Sir Ganga Ram hospital.

"Her condition is getting better and she has been removed from ventilator support. In the next 24 hours, we may shift her to a ward," confirmed Dr Ujjwal Parikh, consultant, chest medicine at the hospital.

On Wednesday, the first swine flu death of the year was recorded in the capital with a 42-year-old woman from Uttam Nagar in west Delhi dying at a private hospital.

Also, the National Capital Region or NCR recorded the second death on Wednesday since 2014 due to swine flu with a 39-year-old man from Faridabad succumbing to the disease. Earlier, a 51-year-old woman had died of the virus on December 26 at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.

"The deaths taking place in the neighbouring regions outside Delhi are not considered figures for the national capital. As per our records, Delhi has recorded two deaths due to swine flu this year till now," said Charan Singh, Additional Director in-charge of Public Health, Health Department.

The Health Department is closely monitoring the situation and has started an orientation programme for the staff of all the 22 designated hospitals including five private hospitals on alert and directed them to follow the standard operating procedure for treatment of swine flu.

Also, the Health secretary held a meeting with the National Centre for Disease Control to review the situation.