Nine more people died of dengue and 1,954 new patients were hospitalised across the country in the 24 hours until 8:00am on Tuesday.

With the latest fatalities, the dengue death toll has risen to 316 in the country this year, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

Among the deaths, three deaths were reported in Dhaka South City Corporation, two each in Dhaka North City Corporation and Khulna division, and one each in Chattogram and Mymensingh divisions, it said.

Since January 1 this year, a total of 103,396 dengue patients were admitted to hospitals across the country. Of them, 97,296 have recovered.

Amid the rising cases and deaths, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday directed the authorities concerned to step up public awareness campaigns and strengthen coordination among government agencies to prevent and control dengue.

He gave the directives at a meeting on dengue prevention and control at the Cabinet Division of Secretariat, said PM’s Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu.

He stressed the need to strengthen preventive measures, particularly in areas reporting higher numbers of dengue infections.