Pune reports 2,413 dengue cases this year; PMC asks residents to use its own hospitals

Pune has recorded 2,413 dengue cases so far this year, of which 553 were reported up to October 20. With concern being raised over the availability of beds in private hospitals, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has asked city residents to go to its own hospitals.

At a review meeting on Friday, Additional Municipal Commissioner Pavneet Kaur said a meeting with private hospitals would be held on Monday to see how many beds they have vacant. Officials said the civic hospitals have 4,409 beds for dengue patients, including 670 ICU beds. Fifty per cent of these beds are occupied.

The PMC has so far inspected about 1.4 lakh houses and checked more than 28 lakh containers and water tanks. Mosquito larvae were found in 18,885 containers at about 13,000 houses. The corporation issued 2,664 notices and collected Rs 6.3 lakh in fines.

Rapid test kits are available free at civic hospitals. Officials have been instructed to arrange fogging immediately whenever a case is reported. Patients showing severe symptoms have been advised to go to Kamla Nehru Hospital or Dr Naidu Hospital.