'We have also decided to separate isolation wards from testing centres to avoid any accidental exposure of people coming for the swine flu test in isolation wards,' said Dayal.

However, the health ministry has refused to allow sale of Tamiflu over the counter.

'The people tested positive for swine flu at private laboratories have to come to a designated government hospital to get Tamiflu. They can show us the prescription of the doctor from the concerned hospital and government hospital will administer vaccine to them,' he said.

According to Dayal, the government is not allowing private sale of Tamiflu to avoid people buying and consuming it without having been infected with the H1N1 virus. Accredited private hospitals will be allowed to stock and administer the medicine, however.

The number of swine flu cases spiked sharply as 96 fresh cases were reported Friday, taking the total in India to 712 so far. Among those who tested positive were four doctors, including three in Delhi.