By IANS,
New Delhi : Swine flu resurgence claimed 84 lives in India in the past one week and a total of 1,155 cases were reported — the highest cumulative in a week so far — even as the government focuses on measures to prevent the disease, health officials said Monday.
While the number of cases in Kerala came down significantly to 20, Maharashtra remained the worst effected state with 507 confirmed cases and 51 deaths.
The state is followed by Karnataka which reported 186 cases and seven deaths. Tamil Nadu had 107 cases but no deaths.
Delhi, where the virus arrived in its second phase much later than in the southern and south-western states, reported 125 cases this week with seven deaths.
Cases were also reported from Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Orissa, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Punjab and Haryana.
Health ministry officials, however, maintain that the situation is in control and the government is fully prepared to handle the situation.
“Pregnant women and old-age persons are the worst hit. It is a must for them to contact a doctor as soon as flu like symptoms appear,” a health ministry official said.