Surat has earned the dubious distinction of topping the state in terms of the number of swine flu deaths. As many as 18 people have died of the deadly H1N1 virus here while the number of patients testing positive has touched 100, including two more suspected patients who were confirmed positive on Monday.

On an average, two to three suspected swine flu cases turn up at the New Civil Hospital daily.

The total number of suspected swine flu patients here has touched 463.

In view of the continuous flow of suspected patients at the New Civil Hospital and SMIMER Hospital, the Health Department is now working on creating awareness about the deadly virus.

Meanwhile, the state government has given permission to 12 chemists to sell swine flu medicines like Tamiflu. Earlier, medicines for swine flu were available only at the New Civil Hospital, SMIMER Hospital and Mahavir Hospital.

I G Shaikh, Assistant Commissioner of Food and Drug Control said: “We have found that many patients were taking treatment at private hospitals and clinics, but they had to come to the government hospital for getting Tamiflu tablets. We spoke to our seniors in Gandhinagar and decided to allot license to 12 chemists for selling these drugs. This had been done for the betterment of the general public.”

District Health Officer Dr V R Gupta said: “The chemists who have been given license to sell Tamiflu tablets have been asked to collect three prescriptions from the patients. One is to be returned to the patient, one is to be retained by them while the third one has to be sent to the District Health Office. This will help us in maintaining the data of suspected swine flu cases.”