New Delhi: Amid a spike in dengue cases in the national capital, Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj on Tuesday said that the hospitals have been directed to keep 5 per cent of hospital beds, previously allocated for COVID-19 patients, to now be reserved for dengue patients. He further stated a portal will be used to report daily dengue cases, similar to how COVID-19 cases were reported.
Speaking to ANI, Bharadwaj said, "Nodal officers of Delhi Cantt, NDMC, MCD, Delhi govt and AIIMS have come here. We asked about their preparations for Dengue...we have directed them that the 5% of beds that were reserved for COVID, will now be reserved for dengue."
He further added, "We have a portal and the way covid cases used to get reported everyday, dengue cases will also be reported. We asked them to reduce the duration of time taken for test results."
The Delhi Minister will also be inspecting some schools on Wednesday in order to check the compliance of norms for full-sleeved clothing by students. He warned schools of action if they are found violating the directions on dengue.
"All the schools have been directed to ask students to wear clothes with full sleeves and be fully covered. Schools are not following the directions. Tomorrow (Wednesday), I will be going on a surprise inspection of some schools along with district magistrates. Wherever there will be lapses, action will be taken," Bharadwaj was quoted as saying by PTI.
According to a report of the Municipal Corporation released on Monday, the national capital logged 56 fresh dengue cases last week. As per the Municipal Corporation, the total number of dengue cases stand at 243, as of July 28.