TEAM HERALD
MARGAO: A 45-year-old man from Salcete became the victim of suspected swine flu. The Directorate of Health Services, however, said there’s nothing to panic, adding the situation is well under control.
State Epidemiologist Dr Utkarsh Betodkar confirmed that the patient who was admitted in a city private hospital on January died on Monday. “The deceased was one of the five patients who were isolated after they were suspected of swine flu. But, unlike the remaining four patients, the condition of the deceased was found critical from day one”, Dr Betodkar said.
Replying to a question, he said the deceased had come down from Hong Kong and was admitted to a Margao based hospital before being shifted to an isolation ward in a super speciality hospital.
“Yes, the patient who died today at the Margao hospital was undergoing treatment for swine flu. There’s no need to panic. The DHS has taken precautionary measures. We are prepared to face the situation”, he said, adding that arrangements are also being made to test the samples outside the state.
