Over 600 swine flu patients in UP, CM orders free treatment

As many as 45 new cases of swine flu surfaced today taking the total number of people suffering from the disease to 614 in Uttar Pradesh, prompting Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav to direct officials to ensure additional beds and medicines for the patients.
The chief minister held a review meeting with Principal Secretary Medical and Health and directed to provide free treatment to the patients.
"The Chief Minister has directed to provide free treatment to all those affected by swine flu during a review meeting," an official spokesman said here.
"45 fresh swine flu cases detected taking the figure of those affected from the disease to 614 in UP," he said.

"Of the 45 new cases, 37 are from Lucknow, three from Allahabad, two from Bareilly and one each from Raebareli, Meerut and Faizabad," a Health Department official said here.
The maximum 505 patients are in Lucknow, where leave of all the health department officials has been cancelled, he said.

Akhilesh also requested the media not to "create panic" over swine flu and said that state government had taken all the necessary measures to check the spread of the disease.
"I request you not to create panic over swine flu. We have taken all necessary measures and even announced free treatment for those suffering from the disease," Yadav had told reporters.

When asked about the scarcity of the beds in government hospitals, Yadav said the beds will be increased soon.
The deadly virus has affected 22 districts. Eight deaths have been reported from Lucknow, two from Kanpur and one each from Saharanpur, Bareilly, Unnao and Badaun districts.
The state government has directed the local bodies and municipal corporations to launch cleanliness drive throughout the state.