Bhubaneswar: In view of the sharp spike in dengue cases in Odisha capital, the Health Department has decided to open dengue ward in all four Community Health Centers (CHCs) in the city.

The urban CHCs will have 10 beds each for dengue patients, reports said.

Odisha Public Health Director Niranjan Mishra said more than 1,000 dengue cases have been identified in Bhubaneswar, this year. In view of the rising cases, blood banks have been directed to keep adequate stock.

Besides, special arrangements have been made at the Capital Hospital here for dengue test. A special testing centre will start operating at the hospital from tomorrow.

Mishra said the number of dengue cases have risen as the state intensified surveillance and testing.

There is no need to panic as the complication rate is less than five per cent while the fatality rate is less than one percent, he said.

Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation Mayor Sulochana Das said sanitation drive has been intensified in the city as a part of precautionary measure.