Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has directed the health department to reserve beds for dengue patients and ensure a stock of medicines in hospitals and mohalla clinics, Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj informed on Friday. He said that genome sequencing of 20 dengue samples has been done and 19 of these had severe strain type-2, news agency PTI reported. The statement came after CM Arvind Kejriwal chaired a meeting at the Delhi Secretariat, also attended by Mayor Shelly Oberoi. As monsoon rains continue to batter the city, the dengue and malaria cases have surged.


 A total of 187 dengue cases have been reported in the national capital this year till July 22 -- the highest for this period since 2018, according to a civic body report released on Monday. 


The Delhi Health Minister informed that a fine for mosquito breeding has been raised to Rs 1,000 for households and Rs 5,000 for commercial establishments amid the dengue spread. The meeting aimed to devise a comprehensive strategy to combat the rising dengue cases in the city.


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The number of dengue cases reported in the first three weeks of July was nearly 65. In June, the tally was 40 and in May it was 23, PTI cited a report issued by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) as informing.


Meanwhile, 61 cases of malaria have been recorded in the same period, it said.


In 2022, the national capital reported 159 dengue cases between January 1 and July 22. During the same period in 2021, it reported 47 dengue cases.


In 2018, 2019, and 2020, the city witnessed 49, 34, and 28 cases, respectively, as per PTI's report.


Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi visited many hospitals in the capital city on July 17. She had recently cautioned people against the possibility of a rise in dengue and malaria cases in the national capital due to flooding in several areas. She said that departments have been asked to check mosquito breeding and clear the silt and sludge remaining after the flood.


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