78 people test positive for seasonal flu in Islamabad

Islamabad: According to data obtained from the National Institute of Health (NIH), 78 people from Islamabad have tested positive for Seasonal Influenza as of January 1, 2018.

Two deaths have also been reported at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, the hospital’s media spokesman Dr. Waseem Khawaja informed the media here on Monday. The NIH received blood samples of 515 suspected cases from Islamabad for analysis during the said period. “The number of suspected cases is high because people tend to panic and prefer having themselves tested in order to eliminate a dire possibility,” an official of NIH stated.

Five patients suffering from Seasonal Influenza are currently admitted at PIMS, where they are undergoing treatment. One of these patients, Dr. Waseem informed, is in a critical condition.

If the total number of Seasonal Flu cases in Rawalpindi and Islamabad were to be looked into, there have been 170 confirmed cases, with four deaths, since January 1, 2018. A total of 800 samples drawn from suspected patients were sent to various laboratories of the twin cities for confirmation of diagnosis. All hospitals of Rawalpindi and Islamabad continue to receive patients.