There are 18 laboratories in the country where the tests can be done. But we will now issue guidelines which will designate some private hospitals across the country to take samples of suspected patients and then send it to the laboratories to be tested,' Azad said.

'We will then try to test and give results within 24 hours. The patient can then be treated at his or her residence or be hospitalised.'

Reiterating the history of the Pune case, Azad said the teen had fever and was taken to a doctor who treated her for normal flu. Then she went home. When her condition did not improve, she was again taken to a private hospital and was treated for normal flu for the first two days.

'When her condition deteriorated and lungs were affected then they (hospital officials) realised that it was not normal because flu doesn't affect the lungs. But by that time it was too late. It was too late for the Tamiflu medication,' Azad said.

Seven more people tested positive for the flu Monday, taking the total number of cases to 558 in the country. Of these, 470 patients have been discharged after treatment. About 2,479 people have been tested so far.