ARNOLD Deonarine, the police officer who was being treated for the Influenza A/H1N1 (swine flu) virus at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the San Fernando General Hospital, is one of two people who died at the unit over the past 24 hours.

A post-mortem is to be conducted today.

Meanwhile, the death of a six-year-old child, who was hospitalised on Sunday with high fever, is also being investigated.

The Express was told on Monday that the officer’s test for the Influenza A/H1N1 virus returned negative. Further tests revealed he had suffered ’a bad bout of pneumonia’, which was worsened by his existing asthmatic condition.

’It would seem that he had a really bad infection,’ a medical source said.

The 27-year-old Penal officer, who was attached to the Court and Process Branch at the San Fernando High Court, was taken to the hospital on October 24 with symptoms of vomiting, high fever and difficulty breathing.

He died early yesterday morning.

Initial reports suggested the officer had contracted the H1N1 virus. This caused operations at the San Fernando court to come to a halt as word of his condition spread.

A relative told the Express yesterday Deonarine joined the Police Service seven years ago and was also a second-year management student at the Cipriani Labour College.

He was the last of three children and leaves to mourn his parents and two sisters.

The relative said the family is devastated by Deonarine’s death and is anxiously awaiting the results of the post-mortem.

Investigations are also continuing into the death of a six-year-old child from the Picton Village area. Relatives said the child was taken to the hospital with a high fever on Sunday. The child died at 4 a.m. yesterday.

A post-mortem is also expected to be conducted today.

Meanwhile, parents and teachers of pupils who attend the school that the six-year-old attended are insisting they be told the ’truth’ about the circumstances surrounding the child’s death.

Patients suspected of having the H1N1 virus are being treated at Ward Two of the hospital, while other cases are being referred to the ICU for specialised treatment.

Reports coming out of the hospital state that a number of hospital employees have opted for vacation or are on sick leave. ’The situation is worrying,’ said a nurse.