Gandhinagar

Swine flu today claimed 12 more lives in Gujarat, taking the toll to 136 since January, while 130 new cases were reported, officials said.

Today’s deaths were reported from Ahmedabad (4), Surat (3) and one each from Kutch, Vadodara, Navsari, Arvalli and Gandhinagar districts, a government statement said here.

The total number of positive swine flu cases in the new year touched 1,522, the statement added.

The administration today held an emergency meeting to review the situation.

The government has also announced that it would launch a helpline for obtaining information about the disease.

Chief Secretary D J Pandian today held a meeting with Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation officers to review the situation.

“AMC will launch a helpline by tomorrow and a control-room will be set up to answer the queries related to swine flu,” Pandian told PTI.

While admitting to shortage of Tami Flu tablets, he said the government would ensure that medicines are available at all the places where swine flu cases have been reported.

“We will also make all the necessary arrangement for treatment at dedicated wards in hospitals,” he added.

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