Pune: People of Pune are in a state of shock. Another person, a 35-year-old chemist died on Monday - the fourth in the city and the seventh in India.
Doctors keep pointing out that more people are dying every day of other diseases like malaria, TB and hepatitis, but understandably, with the media focussing on swine flu, and the fact that its new and so little is known about it, there is real fear in the Pune community.
In response to the two deaths in less than 12 hours, all schools and colleges in Pune have been shut for seven days, and movie theatres for three days.
"If proper precautions were taken, these drastic steps would not have been required," said a Pune resident.
"Colleges should be shut down because there are children. But as far as multiplexes are concerned, it may affect business," said another local.
"In a theatre there are so many people together. So a shutdown is right," said another Pune resident.
Private hospitals have also been pressed into action now to help the existing three government facilities, and treat patients.
The hospitals asked to help in the fight against H1N1 are:
- Sahyadri Hospital
- King Edward Memorial Hospital
- Deenanath Mageshkar Hospital
- Noble Hospital
Also, the government has sent out an appeal against gatherings on Janmashtami.
"We appeal to all political parties to not have large gatherings in the next seven days," said Ajit Pawar, Guardian Minister.
But is the panic in Pune justified?
"Don't think we can say the virus has become more virulent. Otherwise we would have had a high mortality rate. It's spreading," said Dr Renu Bhardwaj, deputy dean, Sassoon Hospital.
The need of the hour is to avoid crowds and stay off roads. People have been urged to take precautions while visiting markets and malls. Hostel students have been asked to not leave Pune.
But the government can't stop movement of people in an out of the city. This is where a personal sense of responsibility has to kick in.