Four swine flu deaths in Delhi, India toll 566

New Delhi, Nov 27: In a major health setback, four people have died of swine flu in the national capital while 106 fresh cases were reported - the highest in the country Friday, a health official said.

The deaths take the national toll to 566.

Of the four deaths, two each were in Safdarjung Hospital and the Lady Hardinge Medical College an Hospital. In Safdarjung Hospital - a 36-year-old woman and a 60-year-old man succumbed to the pandemic virus. With these deaths, the toll in the capital has reached 22.

"We have reported 106 fresh cases Friday, including 68 children," a senior Delhi health ministry official told IANS.

A swine flu death was reported from Himachal Pradesh where an eight-year-old boy died in a government hospital. This was the second death in the state due to the H1N1 virus.

"A boy who was suffering from swine flu and was admitted to the Government Medical College and Hospital (Sector 32) died Thursday," chief medical officer Ashok Tagra told IANS.

Also during the day, 243 fresh cases were reported, including 106 from Delhi. While Haryana reported 43 new cases, 23 cases were from Uttar Pradesh.

With these cases, Delhi has reported 4,406 cases of influenza A (H1N1) - highest among states so far. Maharashtra follows close behind with 3,954 cases, Tamil Nadu is at number three position with 1,846 cases.

--IANS