NEW DELHI: Delhi reported 138 new H1N1 cases in the last 24 hours, taking the cumulative number of cases this year to 2,446, the Delhi government said on Wednesday.The total number of Influenza-A cases has now reached 3,177 as the city continues to see a rise in seasonal influenza infections, news agency PTI reported.The latest figures come hours after the Delhi Medical Association advised residents to remain cautious amid the increase in H1N1 cases.The association has urged people to wear masks in crowded places, avoid unnecessary exposure and seek medical advice instead of self-medicating.
Hospitals asked to strengthen preparedness
Health minister Pankaj Kumar Singh held a virtual review meeting with medical directors and medical superintendents of Delhi government hospitals to assess preparedness for H1N1, seasonal influenza and other respiratory illnesses.The minister directed hospitals to strengthen emergency services and ensure adequate availability of isolation beds, doctors, testing facilities, medicines and other essential resources.Hospitals have been asked to maintain at least five isolation beds. Larger hospitals have been directed to keep 10 or more beds for managing influenza and vector-borne disease cases.They have also been instructed to maintain shift-wise duty rosters and ensure round-the-clock availability of doctors and medical staff, PTI reported.
Dedicated flu corners at hospitals
The health department has directed hospitals to establish or strengthen dedicated flu corners in emergency departments.Senior residents are to be deployed for emergency duty, while suspected patients should be assessed promptly. Swab samples should also be collected and sent for testing wherever clinically indicated.Hospitals have been asked to maintain adequate stocks of Viral Transport Medium and other supplies needed for respiratory specimen collection and testing.Special emphasis has been placed on children and elderly patients. Hospitals have been directed to ensure their timely assessment and appropriate care.
DMA urges masks, no self-medication
The Delhi Medical Association has advised people with flu-like symptoms to wear N95 masks and avoid meeting relatives, friends and others to reduce the risk of transmission.It has also advised people to maintain respiratory and hand hygiene, avoid crowded places and cover their mouth and nose while coughing or sneezing.The association has cautioned against taking antibiotics or antiviral medicines without consulting a qualified doctor.People returning from areas reporting increased influenza activity have also been advised to monitor their health for at least 10 days and seek medical attention if symptoms develop.
‘No need for panic’: Health minister
“There is no need for panic. Most of the patients who have come to hospitals so far have presented with mild fever and other common symptoms and have recovered within a day or two,” Singh said.He said Delhi government hospitals were fully prepared, and the health system was continuously monitoring the situation, PTI reported.“This was not merely a meeting to issue instructions, but a comprehensive review of the preparedness of our hospitals,” he said.Singh said the availability of beds, testing facilities, medicines and emergency services had been reviewed to ensure there was no gap in patient care.He also appealed to people to remain vigilant without panicking and follow respiratory hygiene, hand hygiene and cough etiquette.The minister advised people to use masks appropriately and avoid unnecessary exposure to crowded places, particularly when symptomatic.The health department will continue to monitor influenza trends and hospital preparedness, with a focus on timely testing, adequate isolation capacity, essential medicines and uninterrupted emergency services.(With agency inputs)
