Negros Occidental’s dengue cases are now 823 percent higher than those recorded in the province last year.
The Department of Health reported Wednesday, July 20, that the province had 157 new dengue cases from July 3 to 9 bringing its total to 2,096 cases and ten deaths for this year.
Negros Occidental remains the topnotcher in Western Visayas having more than one third of the dengue cases in the entire region.
Western Visayas has 5,837 dengue cases and 34 deaths this year or an increase by 423 percent from last year, the DOH said.
Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said he is meeting with all city and town health officers in Negros Occidental on Friday to discuss preparations they have taken to prevent the rise in dengue cases.
“Hopefully on Friday I can get a better picture as far as preparations of the different LGUs,” he said.
“This cannot be only done by the province although I must admit we could have done better,” Lacson said.
The provincial government has allocated funds for the fight against dengue in its regular budget, he said.
Dr. Ernell Tumimbang, provincial health officer, said the majority of the province’s LGUS have yet to create their task forces against dengue.
Meanwhile, the DOH reported that for 2022 Antique has 1,591 dengue cases and four deaths, Iloilo province – 986 cases and 10 deaths, Capiz – 330 cases, Bacolod City 293 cases and five deaths, Aklan – 262 cases and two deaths, Iloilo City – 199 cases and one death, and Guimaras – 80 cases.*