Do not lower guard on A (H1N1) flu

Public health authorities in Coimbatore seem to be having a bit of relief now with fewer cases of A (H1N1) influenza being reported now than a month ago. But, this is no reason for the public to lower their guard, the authorities warn.

The Coimbatore Medical College Hospital had only three persons quarantined in its 20-bed isolation ward on Wednesday. And, one of them who tested positive in Mumbai tested negative in Coimbatore. “We are discharging him tomorrow,” Dean of the hospital V. Kumaran said.

“Close to a month ago, the two private laboratories approved by Government for conducting flu tests used to report nearly 30 positive cases a day. Over the last one week, the number dipped to 10 or 15. Now, it is even less,” Dr. Kumaran said.

Of the seven persons who underwent tests at one of the laboratories on Tuesday, only two tested positive. One of these persons was from Erode and another from a rural area in Coimbatore. “Cases being reported from the city are steadily decreasing. One inference is people are following the treatment protocol and the other is that the community is developing immunity,” the Dean said.



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