BACOLOD City – The Provincial Health Office (PHO) of Negros Occidental recorded a 258.93 percent increase in the number of influenza-like illnesses in the province from January to Dec. 2 of this year.
Dr. Girlie Pinongan, PHO head, yesterday said they have listed a total of 2,211 cases this year, higher by 1,595 from last year’s 616 cases. She added that most of the cases were children.
The municipality of Isabela has the highest number of recorded cases at 1,680. The recent spike in cases was attributed to the onset of cold season, PHO said.
Other local government units that logged high number of cases include San Carlos City, 129; Murcia, 80; Bago City, 57; Talisay City, 50; Hinigaran, 20; Cadiz City, 19; and Don Salvador Benedicto, Silay City and Victorias City, 16 each.
Pinongan advised the public to wear facemasks especially in enclosed spaces and to immediately consult a doctor if afflicted with the symptoms.
She also reminded the public not to take antibiotics without a doctor’s prescription, adding that most of the influenza-like illnesses can be remedied by simple medicine only.
Earlier, the Department of Health (DOH) said that based on the historical data since 2009, influenza-like illness case increases coincide with the onset of rainy and colder months.
The DOH also said the higher cases this year are observed most in diseases under surveillance, attributed to the strengthened surveillance efforts for the other diseases as the country shifts its focus from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Meanwhile, the PHO chief said government hospitals in the province have not recorded any hospital admissions due to COVID-19.
While there are positive cases, they are not severe or admitted in private hospitals as of last week, Pinongan added. (With a report from the Philippine News Agency)/PN
