H1N1: Five die,six test positive

“Around December 22,the patient had developed fever and flu-like symptoms. According to our information,he visited private clinics,” a senior GMCH-32 doctor said. “Yesterday,he was brought to the hospital with acute breathing problem.”

Five family members of the deceased have been quarantined at their residence,health officials said.

Other victims who succumbed to the virus include Lajwanti Devi (66),a resident of Phase II,Mohali; Pooja (20),a resident of Mandi Gobindgarh,Punjab; Ritu Gulati (34),a resident of Ambala Cantonment; and Ganga Ram (65),a resident of Bilaspur,Himachal Pradesh.

According to doctors,Lajwanti Devi,who had acute respiratory problem,reached the hospital late. She died in GMCH-32.

Six more persons,including two from Chandigarh,meanwhile,have tested positive. The victims include a PGI doctor from the Department of Paediatrics,a resident of Ram Darbar colony,one Haryana and three Punjab residents.

“We reiterate that people should not ignore preliminary symptoms and immediately see a doctor if the symptoms persist for more than a day,” a senior doctor said. “In most cases of deaths,patients reach hospital in the last stage of illness.”

The PGI lab is getting 20-25 samples for testing everyday.

So far,55 people have died of swine flu in the region and 326 have tested positive.