WAITING FOR SUCCOUR: Patients outside the dengue screening ward at AIIMS in New Delhi on Tuesday. - PHOTO: S. SUBRAMANIUM.

NEW DELHI: The number of dengue cases here in the Capital crossed the 1,000 mark on Tuesday and went up to 1,029 with over 40 fresh cases being registered. With no more deaths reported, the toll so far remains 23.

"This year the number of dengue cases has registered an increase compared to the corresponding period last year. However, the situation is under control and all efforts are being made to ensure that dengue is contained fast and coordinated sanitation and malaria control work is in place to ensure the same. Additional doctors and facilities have been put in place to ensure that the dengue patients are well looked after," said a health official.

At the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences, which has been taking the bulk of the dengue patient load, 34 new cases have been admitted during the past 24 hours of which three were from within the campus.

"The total number of dengue patients under treatment now stands at 173. More than 800 patients have been screened at the Institute in the last 24 hours," said the AIIMS Medical Superintendent, Dr. D.K. Sharma.

Taking into account the additional patient load, the AIIMS administration had announced enhanced patient services, including additional wards and medical staff.

On Tuesday, in addition to the already announced contingency plans, an additional 100 doctors and 50 interns were put on duty in the dengue ward. "The blood collection and initial screening counters have also been separated to streamline patient care," said Dr. Sharma.

The Institute had previously also converted some private wards into a general dengue ward to accommodate patients.

On Tuesday it announced that the cardio thoracic wards too would accommodate dengue patients.

"Also a committee has been put in place to ensure proper coordination among the patients, the blood bank, the administration and the laboratory. It will also supervise the dengue operations at AIIMS," said Dr. Sharma.

Of the 651 cases that have been reported so far across the Capital, 577 are from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) area and 25 from the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) area, according to the Health Department.

Cases registered in various zones include Shahdara (North) 79, Shahdara (South) 57, Civil Lines 38, Rohini 38, Karol Bagh 51, West Zone 50, Central Zone 115, South Zone 40, and Najafgarh 77.

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