ILOILO – The province recorded an additional two deaths due to dengue, the Provincial Health Office (PHO) reported.
The latest fatalities were both five-year-old boys from the towns of Cabatuan and Lambunao. They died on June 23.
As of that day, the dengue death toll in the province climbed to 20.
The most recent deaths prior to these two included one each from Passi City on June 18 and Concepcion and Sara towns on June 19.
Dengue cases, meanwhile, climbed to 3,702 as of June 22 from 3,202 cases on June 19.
Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr. said he already instructed the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Council (PDRRMC) to gather dengue data for 10 days starting June 27.
From the data, the provincial government would check the trend in dengue cases; it would serve as basis in deciding whether to declare a state of calamity or not.
“I told the PDRRMC to wait for another 10 days to monitor the rise (of dengue cases). After 10 days, the PDRRMC will meet again and let’s find out if there’s a need for us to declare a part of the province or the entire province under the state of calamity,” said Defensor.
In the event certain towns or the entire province will be put under a state of calamity due to dengue, Defensor said the province is ready with the necessary materials such as IV fluids and medicines, including the number of doctors to take care of patients.
Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares Quiñon, provincial health officer, reiterated the PHO’s call for the public to intensify the fight against dengue.
Locals are urged to regularly clean-up their surroundings and destroy the breeding places of mosquitoes. (PNA/PN)
