Patient in city tests negative for swine flu

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, August 10

The blood samples of one of the two patients with swine flu symptoms have tested negative. A patient from Jalandhar is admitted to a private hospital while the other one is from Gurdaspur undergoing treatment at Government Medical College (GMC) here. The reports of the patient hailing from Jalandhar is still awaited. Health officials said his report would be released by Friday noon.

They were admitted to city hospitals yesterday.

The swine flu testing facility at Government Medical College released eight reports in total today. Seven others are admitted at hospitals in Ludhiana. “It is for the first time that samples have been received from Ludhiana. Earlier, they used to send the same to the PGI, Chandigarh. The reports of Ludhiana patients too are negative,” said a health official.

District Epidemiologist Dr Madan Mohan said, “There is nothing to panic as the department is fully prepared to tackle the situation. People should take precautions to prevent the infection which includes avoiding closeness to an infected person and covering the face at crowded places.” The department has also advised people to wash their hands frequently. Dr Madan Mohan said residents were also advised to maintain a healthy diet, increase in water intake and have sound sleep.