Dengue toll in the national capital rose to 23 even as the Delhi [Images] government decided to switch off all water fountains in the city as accumulated water is the breeding ground for mosquitoes carrying the disease.

As many as 71 new cases of the viral disease were reported in Delhi taking the total number of afflicted to 957. 

41 patients were admitted to All India Institute of Medical Science where 173 people are already being treated for the disease.

Sato Devi, 35, who was admitted to the AIIMS on Monday morning, died in the afternoon, taking the number of dengue deaths in the capital to 23.

Stepping up dengue-control measures, the government issued instructions for closing all water fountains, including those at Rajpath and in residential premises.

As the dengue deluge continued in AIIMS, the management announced a contingency plan under which 100 additional doctors and 50 interns have been put on duty in the dengue ward.

''All the additional doctors and interns will report to the Medical Superintendent of the Main Hospital for strengthening patient care,'' an AIIMS spokesperson said.

Some private wards have been converted into the general dengue ward to accommodate patients.

''Additional space has been created in the New Private Ward area (100 beds) by transferring the admitted dengue patients. Wards C-6 and D-6 have been designated as dengue wards,'' he added.

"Only those patients who need emergency medical attention are being admitted. We are facing a severe manpower and resource crunch. Dengue patients are pouring in from all over the country in AIIMS but the institute does not have infrastructure to deal with this situation,'' Dr Sharma said.

(With inputs from PTI and UNI)