With the Health Minister, Juan Manzur confirming the death toll from the A(H1N1) virus mounting to a humongous 86,the official estimate and constantly rising. There have been close to 2, 677 confirmed swine flu cases so far. The provincial health minister, Claudio Zin has suggested reducing one-on-one contact especially in mass crowds and gatherings to avoid matters escalating out of hand.

Argentina is the only country in the southern hemisphere to be severely bolted by the severity of the deadly virus with a relatively high rate of morbidity. Argentina now stands third in row for swine flu mortalities after US and Mexico where the pandemic first made its presence felt and has lately outdone even Canada.

As the epidemic spreads its deadly roots during the winter season, many Argentines preferred to remain homebound, several churches in Bolivia including the Bolivian Roman Catholic Church called off weekday masses. Churches in East Santa Cruz city, the hot bed for the virus, having greater than two-thirds of the country’s reported swine flu cases had the bishopric propose that adulators steer clear of the church and rather listen to the mass on television or radio.

Commercial institutions comprising banks, trade quarters, courts, stock exchange were closed for a day all over Argentina. This coalesced with the Independence Day holiday on Thursday, summing up to a four-day holiday weekend wherein most preferred not to venture into crowds or meet up outsiders.

The President, Cristina Fernandez announced a day’s leave to federal public workers with many government organisations followed the day off, along with the densely populated Buenos Aires province. The government has increased the winter vacations twofold to make it one month in case of schools. Expecting women and several susceptible employees have been given leave for 15 days.

Many cinemas have been closed, public occasions have been put on hold and restaurants have devised the policy to maintain a 3-yard distance in between tables.