NASHIK: Three more people died of swine flu at the isolation ward of the Nashik civil hospital on Friday, taking the death toll in the district to 26.According to senior officials at the Nashik civil hospital, there are 18 patients currently undergoing treatment in the isolation ward. All of them show swine flu symptoms.“Four of them have tested positive for the disease,” the official said.Meanwhile, the three people who died in the hospital on Friday were identified as Rajendra Singh (55), a resident of Malegaon MIDC in Sinnar, Sakhubai Sonawane (42) of Akole in Ahmednagar and Sarala Arun Vispute (52) of Upnagar, Nashik.According to hospital sources, Rajendra Singh was an industrial worker in Sinnar. Upon showing symptoms like swine flu, he would take treatment at a private hospital in Sinnar. However, as his condition deteriorated further, he was shifted to the Nashik civil hospital.Senior officials of the hospital said that they he died within one hour of starting treatment at the Nashk civil hospital.Sakhubai Sonawane was admitted in the hospital since September 18 and was undergoing treatment.Notably, with the surge in the number of patients testing positive for the disease, the district health department has taken up various programmes to raise awareness about swine flu across the district. Awareness drives are being held at schools and colleges. People are being sensitized and asked to take precautionary measures like washing hand regularly with soap, consuming nutritious food, making use of lemon, avala, oranges, green vegetables, stopping consumption of tobacco and drinking plenty of water.Health officials have also advised people to avoid shaking hands with others, spitting in public place, not to take medication without the consultation of doctor and avoid going to crowded places if experiencing swine flu like symptoms.

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