Dengue cases in NegOcc rise to 7,208

By: Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – Negros Occidental Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Ernell Tumimbang said the number of dengue cases in the province has increased to 7,208 as of August 2019.

Tumimbang said the latest number is almost double compared to 4,327 cases in the same period last year.

The number of fatalities also increased to 57 compared to 52 last year.

Tumimbang said Kabankalan City and Murcia had the highest number of cases. However, he pointed out new cases in Kabankalan City has dropped to only 36, while the number of new cases in Silay City has jumped to 62.

The provincial official said the drop in the number of cases in Kabankalan proves that their counter-measures in combating dengue are working.

Tumimbang also said the numbers indicate an overall downtrend as dengue cases peaked.

“We’ve already set the preventive measures and we need to continue it,” he added.

Earlier, the Bacolod City Health Office (CHO) said dengue fever cases continue to spike in the city.

From January 1 and August 31, a total of 1,753 dengue cases, along with seven deaths, were recorded, up from the 748 cases and six deaths reported in 2018, or a 134.4 percent spike.

CHO Environment and Sanitation Division head, Dr. Grace Tan noted that the most recent fatality was a 12-year-old from Barangay Tangub.