More dengue hotspots now

Star: PENANG: There’s good news and bad news concerning the dengue situation in the state.
First, the bad news. There are now 30 hotspots on the island – nine more than previously reported.
The good news is, the number of confirmed dengue cases dropped to 19 last week, from 90 the week before.
State Health Committee chairman P.K. Subbaiyah, however, cautioned that the number of cases could rise again when the rainy season starts.
“Don’t be too optimistic as the worst could yet come,” he said yesterday.
Subbaiyah said a 50-year-old housewife from Bukit Mertajam was the latest case. She was admitted on Sunday to the Penang Hospital intensive care unit. This brought to three the number of dengue patients in intensive care. All are reported to be in stable condition.
There are 117 dengue patients in the state at present; 48 at private hospitals.
“We are requesting Rela and Civil Defence members to assist in anti-dengue operations now that five health teams from Perak have returned home,” said Subbaiyah.
He also urged factories to clean up their premises to eradicate mosquito breeding grounds.
On the appeal for blood in view of the dengue situation, Subbaiyah said that with 1,119 pints at the Penang Hospital blood bank, there should be sufficient stock.