66 swine flu deaths in Gujarat since January 1

With the death of four more persons, the number of swine flu deaths in Gujarat in the new year reached 66 on Friday. 

Deaths on Friday were reported from Kutch (one), Vadodara (two) and Rajkot (one) districts. Also, 73 new swine flu cases were reported, taking the total number of positive cases to 557, a state government statement said. Health commissioner J P Gupta said that about 200 patients have been cured out of the 557. 

Kutch district, the worst-affected, today reported another 20 cases. So far the district has had 189 positive cases and 23 deaths due to the H1N1 virus infection. Ahmedabad district has had 99 cases, including 12 deaths. The state health department statement said that 500 beds and 236 isolation wards with ventilators had been kept reserved for swine flu patients at various hospitals in the state; if needed, 300 more beds will be provided.

State had enough stock of medicines and order had been placed for 1,000 doses of H1N1 vaccine, the statement said.