Cuttack: SCB Medical College and Hospital here on Friday increased the bed capacity of the special dengue ward to accommodate mounting number of patients contracted with the deadly vector-borne disease.

This year, the number of beds at the ward was increased from 100 to 150 keeping in view the huge turnout of patients last year.

But the inflow of patients with high fever and low platelet count has been even higher this year, forcing the hospital authorities to increase the number of beds even further.

"We have added 22 more beds for dengue patients in view of the high inflow of patients over the past few days. At present, the ward has a capacity to admit 172 patients," said assistant nodal officer for treatment of dengue cases at SCB Sriprasad Mohanty.

The number of patients at the ward crossed 100-mark on August 31, the number touched its full capacity of 150 on Wednesday. Following this, the hospital added 22 more beds.

Over the past six days, more than 36 dengue cases were tested positive at the hospital daily on an average.

The total number patients admitted for treatment during the same period was 234. Besides, the cases indicated that dengue had spread to three more districts - 20 out of 30 in the six days.

"We are ready to make another 21 beds available for the dengue ward," Mohanty said.