New Delhi, Dec 21 (IANS) At least nine more people have succumbed to Influenza A (H1N1) taking the national toll due to the contagious virus to 789, the union health ministry said Monday.
Of the nine deaths, five were from Karnataka, and two each from Punjab and Delhi. With these casualties, the number of deaths have gone up to 128 in Karnataka, 20 in Punjab and 56 in Delhi.

Other states, where swine flu has caused havoc, include Maharashtra (249 deaths), Rajasthan (110 deaths), Gujarat (64) and Andhra (52 deaths).

Besides, the country reported 243 new infections. Among the states, Delhi reported 118 cases, Uttar Pradesh (20 cases) and Maharashtra reported 18 new infection. With these new infections, the country has so far reported around 24,000 cases.

“Delhi recorded 118 new cases of Influenza A (H1N1) Monday. With this, the cumulative total number of cases in the city has risen to 8,501,” Anjana Prakash, additional nodal officer handling swine flu cases in Delhi, told IANS.

Nine new positive cases were reported from Chandigarh too.

“We had collected the throat and nasal swab samples of these patients Sunday and their reports are positive. We have properly diagnosed them and our doctors are keeping a close tab on their condition,” G.C. Bansal, Chandigarh’s officiating nodal officer of swine flu, said