With a large number of H1N1 cases being referred from across the region to the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, the swine flu testing laboratory of the institute is running to its optimum capacity.
According to the PGI officials, the nodal laboratory of the region has processed 250 samples till now, of these nearly 30 have been found positive.
Dr Mini P Singh of virology department said, “The H1N1 is a molecular test which is little complex as compared to the other tests. So it takes longer time as compared to other viral examinations. We are able to process only 20 to 30 samples a day.”
The PGIMER processed 20 samples in December, 130 in January and 100 in February till now.
Sale of medicines and masks
Despite several deaths in the city, the situation is still under control. The sale of masks hasn’t increased but there is a significant increase in the sale of Tamiflu medicine. Ramesh Kumar of the Ramesh Medical Hall, Sector 16, who is the sole seller of the medicine in the region, said, “Since January, I have sold the medicine to around 150 patients. We are getting 10 patients a day,” said Kumar.
Swine flu screening
Separate areas set up for swine flu screening in all government hospitals have been thronged by a large number of people as other viral fevers are common these days. So people are getting confused with cough and fever with H1N1 virus. At present, there are eight patients admitted at the PGIMER’s isolation ward. Staff as well as common people around the isolation ward and emergency in the Nehru Hospital can be seen wearing the masks.
{{/usCountry}}Separate areas set up for swine flu screening in all government hospitals have been thronged by a large number of people as other viral fevers are common these days. So people are getting confused with cough and fever with H1N1 virus. At present, there are eight patients admitted at the PGIMER’s isolation ward. Staff as well as common people around the isolation ward and emergency in the Nehru Hospital can be seen wearing the masks.
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