Blame it on the prolonged winter, but there is a spurt in the number of influenza AH1N1, also known as swine flu, cases this year.
The national Capital on Sunday reported 21 new cases of the viral infection, taking this season’s total tally to 94. The cases have been reported from various hospitals across the city, including Safdarjung Hospital, Ram Manohar Lohia, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital and Indraprastha Apollo. The various government and private laboratories in the city have also been reporting a couple of positive cases daily.

Three people have already succumbed to the disease in the Capital. However, health experts claim the virus strain does not seem virulent and only those with underlying medical conditions, especially asthma, respiratory distress syndrome, are at a higher risk of needing ventilator support.

“For safety sake, the government has directed all its hospitals to keep isolation wards ready and ventilators on stand by for emergencies,” AK Walia, Delhi health minister said.