TUHIN SHUBHRA ADHIKARY

With the number of dengue cases and deaths on the rise, the health authorities have issued fresh directives to all hospitals, including setting up fever/flu corners in outdoor departments and keeping dedicated beds for dengue patients.

A total of 62 people has died and 17,218 have been hospitalised since January this year till yesterday -- both figures significantly higher than during the same period last year. Experts have warned that the numbers may rise further in the coming days.

The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has also issued separate directives to hospitals for the treatment of Covid-19 patients, as the viral disease saw a sharp spike last month but is now on a downward trend.

A total of 27 people has died of Covid-19 and 701 have been infected since January, with 22 deaths and 532 cases reported in June alone.

The fresh directives came as the country faced a simultaneous outbreak of three viral diseases -- Covid-19, dengue and chikungunya -- last month. Health experts warned that the three may overwhelm the country’s healthcare system unless the authorities take swift and coordinated action.

Abu Hussain Md Moinul Ahsan, director (hospital) of DGHS, who signed the directives on July 16, said while Covid cases are showing a downward trend, dengue cases are on the rise.

The directives were made public yesterday.

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