New Delhi: 64 more patients tested positive for dengue in the Capital on Saturday, taking the total number of cases in the city to 1,716.
The city has recorded over 460 dengue cases in the last one week. There were four dengue deaths in Delhi this season.
During the same period last year, the number of cases of the vector-borne disease in the city was only 12 while it was 226 and 52 in the corresponding periods in 2008 and 2007.
South Delhi continued to be worst-affected this season recording 283 cases, followed by MCD Central Zone (234) and Civil Lines (219).
The civic bodies are blaming incessant rains and stagnation of water at Games construction sites for the rapid increase in dengue cases this season.
The dengue outbreak has also raised concern among several countries which are sending teams to participate in the Commonwealth Games to be held here next month. Over 20 nations have sought information from the Games Organising Committee about the dengue outbreak and steps being taken to combat it.
Delhi government has directed MCD to form 100 teams to spray mosquito repellent in the area of two km radius surrounding the Games Village in east Delhi. The MCD teams will be assisted by trained personnel of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). PTI
