Concerned over the spurt in dengue cases, the Delhi Government on Monday directed all hospitals and nursing homes to increase beds strength by 10-20 per cent for three months to deal with dengue cases.
According to the municipal statistics, 29 new cases of dengue were reported last week taking the total number of affected people to 119 this year. Out of 1,19, 49 dengue cases have been reported from Delhi while 70 are from neighbouring States. It may be noted that Delhi also witnessed first dengue death last week; however, civic body data had no mention for the same.
last week, North Delhi Municipal Corporation reported two, SDMC 15 whereas EDMC recorded three dengue cases respectively. According to the civic body official, all preventive measures are being taken to tackle dengue menace. He said notices were slapped on 55,540 houses after mosquito breeding sites were found during inspections.
A Government official said, “We have directed to all the hospitals and nursing homes to increase beds to cater fever and dengue patients,” adding that no hospital/nursing home shall deny admission to fever and dengue patients.
The health department also capped the charges for dengue tests at all private labs and also banned the sale of platelet restricting drugs like Aspirin, Ibuprofen and Diclofenac during the dengue season, said the official.
Students of Government/private schools and colleges will be roped in to spread awareness about steps for prevention of Dengue, said the official. Previous year, national Capital saw worst dengue outbreak which infected more than 15,000 patients and claimed 60 claimed lives.