• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Confirmed cholera cases in Negros Occidental went up further to 77, with deaths remaining at three, as of December 31, disclosed by Provincial Health Officer Dr. Ernell Tumimbang.
Talisay City’s 24 cases remains at the top of the list, followed by Silay City with 23, including one fatality and EB Magalona with 15 cases, also with one death, Tumimbang said.
Cholera is caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, which is contracted by drinking contaminated water.
With only one confirmed cholera case among numerous samples sent to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM), Tumimbang said he suspects that cholera is not only caused by contaminated drinking water, but also coming from food and other sources.
It is in the sanitation and habits of individuals, he added.
Cholera was also reported in Victorias City and Cadiz with four cases each, Manapla – 3, Pulupandan – 2, and one fatality in Murcia, PHO records further showed.
COVID-19 CASES
As of January 2, Negros Occidental logged 193 COVID-19 cases, with one fatality.
Overall, since the pandemic was declared in March 2020, the province has logged over 44,416 coronavirus cases, with 2,066 fatalities.
Tumimbang said that he anticipates no increase in numbers of COVID-19 cases in Negros Occidental due to yuletide season celebrations.
There is no threat from COVID-19, as of now, he declared.*
