At high risk, CISF personnel wear anti-swine flu masks

The Central Industrial Security Force has issued guidelines to its personnel deployed to frisk commuters at Delhi Metro stations to wear masks as a precautionary measure. Some CISF personnel have also been given vaccines.

“The directive was issued on February 19 in which all personnel deployed at enclosures to frisk passengers will have to compulsorily wear masks. Because we are exposed to a large number of people, we are at a higher risk of contracting infection. I also got myself vaccinated with a shot, which costs Rs 500,” said Shiela Kumari Paswan deployed at Govindpuri Metro station.

The vaccination, however, is not mandatory. With the government having no clear cut policy on vaccination, most people are taking it upon themselves to get vaccinated.

Kavita Lalmani, a CISF staff at Jhandewalan Metro station, said the guidelines mention the necessity of equipping oneself with a mask. “Even if I do not get vaccinated, a mask is necessary to check infection,” said Lalmani.

With a large section of Delhi using Metro services, there are constant announcements on “what a seasonal flu is” in the form of an interaction between a doctor and a patient and the precautions required to avoid falling prey to it.

Fresh cases

As many as 119 fresh cases of swine flu were reported on Tuesday, taking the total to 2,456 this season.

“Of the 689 people who came for swine flu tests, 119 samples tested positive. No death was reported today. The total number of swine flu cases this season has gone up to 2,456,” said Dr Charan Singh, nodal officer for swine flu, Directorate of Health Services (DHS).

The capital has seen nine deaths so far, though the DHS said there has been eight deaths. One death of a pregnant woman due to swine flu was confirmed by the medical superintendent of Lok Nayak Hospital.   

The health department said surprise checks are being conducted in hospitals designated to treat swine flu cases and in private labs authorised to conduct tests. Currently, there are only three government labs where the samples can be tested for free.

The health department said surprise checks are being conducted in hospitals designated to treat swine flu cases and in private labs authorised to conduct tests. Currently, there are only three government labs where the samples can be tested for free.

Even though the health department has maintained that only Category-C patients or those hospitalised with symptoms of breathlessness, chest pain, drowsiness and fall in blood pressure need to get tested for the flu, doctors said Category-B or patients with lung diseases or those aged above 65 years or pregnant also need to get tested for swine flu.

“Only Category-A patients do not need to be tested,” said a medical superintendent of a central-run hospital.