Shabana Akhtar, 20, a resident of Sattala slum, was admitted to the DNCC Dedicated Covid-19 Hospital in the capital's Mohakhali with symptoms of vomiting, fever, throat pain, and severe weakness.

Her mother had initially taken her to a local clinic, but as she is also pregnant, she was referred to the hospital.

"I have been feeling better since I came to the [DNCC Dedicated Covid-19] hospital," said Shabana, who was among many others admitted there after it was declared as the "dengue dedicated hospital" on July 12.

It is the only hospital in the country that was declared by the government to be for dengue patients.

According to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), nine dengue patients died while 1,755 others were hospitalised across the country in the 24 hours till yesterday morning.

With the new statistics, the total number of deaths rose to 155 while that of cases rose to 27,547.

Rabeya Akhtar, 45, who was admitted to the hospital early Sunday, said she had a fever, cough, nausea and vomiting, throat pain, and intense fatigue.

"I'm improving slowly and may have to stay here [in hospital] a few more days."

Col AKM Johirul Hossain Khan, additional director (admin) of the DNCC Dedicated Covid-19 Hospital, said the admission of dengue patients started there a day after it was announced a dedicated dengue hospital.

He added that they had already been treating dengue patients on a limited scale at the hospital since last October.

"Right now, we have dedicated 500 beds, including 49 with ICU facilities, for dengue patients after the announcement. If the number of patients increases, we will be able to extend the facilities to 800 beds. But for this, we have to increase the hospital's manpower, including doctors and nurses."

Johirul further said 365 dengue patients were admitted to the hospital so far, and 219 are currently under treatment.

He added that the condition of most of the patients has improved. However, one patient, who was suffering from multiple complications, died.

"There are 24 patients being treated at the ICU. Of them, three are suffering from dengue shock syndrome and the rest are stable."

Meanwhile, 74 doctors and 69 nurses are providing their services but they need more nurses as they play a vital role in managing patients, he said.

"We have issued a letter to the Directorate General of Nursing and Midwifery in this regard and hope to get more nurses soon," he said.

He said nine lab technicians have been appointed here of which four have already joined and the rest five will join shortly.

The DNCC Dedicated Covid-19 Hospital was turned into a medical facility from a market on a temporary basis during the coronavirus pandemic. It was made with 1,054 beds and a central oxygen line to facilitate Covid patients.

Johirul advised that patients remain under hospital care for at least 72 hours after recovering from the dengue fever as it is a crucial and risky period.

He also suggested that those experiencing symptoms take sufficient amounts of fluid and that no medicine be taken without doctor consultation.

Meanwhile, Prof Abul Bashar Mohammad Khurshid Alam, director general of DGHS, said the risk of death from dengue is escalating as patients are being admitted to hospitals at the terminal stage of illness.

During an event in Dhaka yesterday, he said the number of cases and deaths has been rising alarmingly.

"However, the situation has not yet reached the point of becoming an emergency or epidemic."

In the meantime, Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) yesterday fineda site engineer Tk 1 lakh after finding Aedes mosquito larvae in the under-construction Rab-3 building in the capital's Shahjahanpur Jheelpar.

DSCC mobile courts also fined 16 others Tk 1.8 lakh after finding larvae in 16 establishments, including houses and under-construction buildings.