Bhubaneswar, Aug. 24: Swine flu has claimed 16 lives so far in the state and the toll might go up tonight with doctors apprehending more casualties as many patients were still in critical condition at various hospitals across the state.

Two more patients — a man and a woman — died today at VSS Medical College, Burla. While the man was from Bheden, the woman was from Padmapur.

According to the State Surveillance Cell (SSC), so far 205 samples have been tested in the virology laboratory of the city-based Regional Medical Research Centre (RMRC) since June with 71 positive cases. However, of the 19 samples processed by the RMRC scientists today, six were found positive.

While four positive samples belonged to the VSS Medical College, Burla, two were from the MKCG Medical College and Hospital, Berhampur.

Therefore, six patients have died only in the western part of the state.

While the committee set up by the state government had found that late administration of Tamiflu was the reason behind so many deaths, doctors could not find the trend of the flu attack in the western districts.

In another development, the health department has asked the health-care delivery institutions to take action at appropriate time in reporting of the suspected cases, treating the patient with Tamiflu and testing the swab samples.