With no end to the dengue menace sometime soon in sight, the country logged 14 more deaths and a record 2,653 cases in the last 24 hours till 8am on Wednesday.
The spread of dengue is also putting pressure on hospitals, mainly those in Dhaka, when a total of 8,189 dengue patients, including 4,760 in the capital, are now receiving treatment across the country.
So far, the authorities have recorded 40, 341 dengue cases and 31, 937 recoveries this year.
With the latest fatalities, the death toll from the mosquito-borne disease stands at 215. Dhaka city alone saw 10 of the latest deaths and 172 of the overall fatalities.
Of the new patients, 1,327 were admitted to hospitals in Dhaka and the rest outside it, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
July has already become the worst month as the authorities recorded 168 deaths from dengue and 32,363 positive cases till Wednesday.
The country logged 281 dengue deaths in 2022 – the highest on record after 179 deaths recorded in 2019.
Health experts warned the dengue situation to deteriorate further in August and September, asking authorities to launch a total war against mosquitoes of all types.
The deaths come alongside a soaring daily caseload amid the government's reluctance to declare a public health emergency given the worsening dengue situation.
A DGHS report suggests 11 areas of the capital were identified as dengue hotspots and most areas are under Dhaka South City Corporation.
Mugda Hospital stops admission
No new dengue patients can be admitted to Mugda Medical College and Hospital in the capital for the time being as the hospital has reached its maximum capacity for treating dengue patients, said DGHS Additional Director General (admin) Ahmedul Kabir on Wednesday.
The DGHS has advised that dengue patients seek treatment at nearby hospitals or at Mohakhali DNCC Hospital.
Stating that the DGHS has already prepared 2,500 beds for the treatment of dengue patients, Kabir said: "There is no more opportunity to increase the number of beds in Mugda Hospital as the maximum limit has been reached."
In an effort to accommodate more patients, the authorities are exploring other options. Kabir mentioned: "In Kurmitola Hospital, out of 250 beds, 60 beds are currently vacant, and we have requested an additional 100 beds. Moreover, we've asked for 150 more beds in Dhaka Medical College Hospital and 100 more beds in Kuwait Bangladesh Friendship Government Hospital."
He further assured that the situation at the hospital is being constantly monitored, and they are making efforts to increase the available space to accommodate the growing number of dengue patients.
