New Delhi, Aug 11 - With some people covering their faces with handkerchiefs, dupattas or masks, the fear of swine flu was clear in buses, metros and in public places in the capital Tuesday as India reported its eighth Influenza A(H1N1) casualty.

'I am scared and I don't want to take any risk which I will regret later. Last night I bought a multi-layered mask from the chemists' and am wearing it while commuting to work today. With so many people in the buses, how can you be so sure that the person you are sitting next to is not infected with the virus?' Harish Sharma, a bank employee who takes a bus to work everyday, told IANS.

While not many faces were seen covered in masks, there were several shielding themselves with handkerchiefs and dupattas.

'The most scary part of swine flu is that the symptoms of common flu and this are the same. So when a person sneezes or coughs next to me, I am immediately alert. It probably sounds like a panic attack, but better safe than sorry,' Abha Das, a college student, said, through the handkerchief covering her nose and mouth.

Sharmishtha Sharma, another student said: 'For the last three days I have been avoiding crowded buses, no matter how late I am for class.