BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Provincial Health Office (PHO) reported yesterday that dengue cases in Negros Occidental increased by 126 percent in Negros Occidental from January to May 7 this year, compared to the same period last year.
PHO recorded 389 cases this year compared to 172 cases in 2021.
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Ernell Tumimbang however said that Negros Occidental has not yet reached the alert level threshold of 500 cases.
Despite it, Tumimbang said the PHO is now initiating necessary preventive measures to address the increasing number of dengue cases, with some of the employees assigned at the Teresita Lopez Jalandoni Provincial Hospital in Silay City among the victims.
Tumimbang noted that dengue case in Negros Occidental increases in every three years.
San Carlos City topped the list among the 31 local government units in the province, having the greatest number of cases at 36, while the total increase in percentage was recorded in Binalbagan, at 1,300 percent.
On the other hand, the highest total reduction in percentage was noted in Victorias City, with 85.71 percent.
Four deaths due to dengue cases were recorded this year, Tumimbang said, as he also reported increasing numbers of dengue cases at the TLJPH compound in Silay City, Negros Occidental.
Tumimbang said they cannot implement fogging operations at the hospital because of the patients confined in the medical facility.
All they can do, according to Tumimbang, is more of preventive measures such as removal of stagnant water, including those in containers, providing of mosquito screen with chemicals and reeducation of hospital staff.*
