Swine flu: 3 patients discharged

 The patients - A 38-year-old man and a 12-year-old body who had arrived from Bangkok and United States respectively, had tested negative in their subsequent throat swab tests. They had also completed their quarantine period. However, doctors from the Institute have advised them to use mask and stay in house-quarantine for a week. The other high-profile patient, the son of Medical Education Department’s Principal Secretary, admitted at Sagar Apollo Hospital, was also discharged as he had completed his quarantine period.

Meanwhile 10 patients visited RGICD including two student-passengers who were sent from the Bengaluru International Airport (BIA). The medical staff at the BIA found that the two had symptoms of H1N1 flu while screening and were immediately referred to RGICD. The two students had gone to Dubai on a business management project and arrived in the City on Wednesday.

A total of 12 throat swabs were collected including that of four patients admitted at RGICD.  Director of Health and Family Welfare Services Dr Usha Vasunkar, on being asked whether positive and suspected patients are admitted separately, said that until the tests are conducted and results are out, all patients are considered as suspected cases only.   "There is no need to segregate the patients. However, close contacts of patients tested positive will be provided with chemoprophylaxis as a precautionary measure," she informed.

She further added that the Indiranagar General Hospital is being considered to admit patients with suspected H1N1 flu in future. However the same is still not finalised.