Iloilo City reactivates hydration units amid dengue surge

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

The Iloilo City government has reopened its 30-bed hydration facility as health officials raised concerns over the continued surge in dengue cases.

Located on the second floor of the La Paz Maternity and Reproductive Health Center in the La Paz district, the facility was reactivated on Wednesday, August 21, to cater to dengue patients.

City Health Office (CHO) head Dr. Annabelle Tang explained that the facility is available for dengue patients who primarily require hydration and constant monitoring but do not exhibit warning signs, following the guidelines of the Department of Health.

The move is also aimed at decongesting hospitals, ensuring that they are reserved for patients with severe dengue symptoms who need close monitoring or intervention.

Given the ongoing transmission of COVID-19 in the city, Tang emphasized that the facility will not accept consultations or walk-in patients, only those referred by city district health centers or private health facilities.

Patients must have results for both dengue and COVID-19 tests to minimize the risk of possible comorbidities.

“The reason we will not be accepting COVID-positive patients is that if a patient has a co-infection, their condition may worsen later on,” Tang explained.

“Our facility is merely a hydration unit, not a hospital, and we are not equipped to handle cases where COVID may progress and become more severe.”

Tang noted that patients who test positive for both dengue and COVID-19 at district health centers will be referred to hospitals for admission.

The hydration unit was initially opened in 2019 when the city experienced a dengue outbreak.

All district health centers in the city now have designated dengue fast lanes to ensure quick consultations and care for those showing symptoms. These centers are also offering free dengue tests to support early detection.

Additionally, the city government has set up an air-conditioned tent near the Uswag Molecular Laboratory in Molo to provide hydration care for patients while they await their RT-PCR test results.

Those who test positive for COVID-19 but negative for dengue will be advised to quarantine at home if their condition is manageable or referred to a hospital if necessary.

Data from the CHO showed that the city has recorded a total of 775 dengue cases, including three deaths, as of August 17.

The figure is 43.3 percent higher compared to the same period last year. The district of Arevalo registered two deaths, while one death was recorded in Mandurriao.

Arevalo logged the highest number of dengue cases with 170, followed by Jaro II with 87, Lapuz with 61, Mandurriao with 57, and Molo with 48 cases.