BACOLOD City – Local government units in Negros Occidental have been advised to use their calamity fund to combat cases of dengue fever following the Department of Health’s (DOH) national dengue outbreak declaration on Tuesday.
Dr. Ernell Tumimbang, provincial health officer, said supplies and logistics needed could be charged to the calamity fund.
“Definitely, they can use that since there is a national directive. I think that is the purpose,” he added.
Based on the latest data of the Provincial Health Office (PHO) from Jan. 1 to July 27, Negros Occidental has recorded 3,831 cases, 51 percent higher compared to last year’s 4,204 in same period.
The city of Kabankalan, which has already declared a dengue outbreak, has the highest number of cases with 687.
Candoni town has the highest percentage of increase of 1,489 percent. Last year, it recorded only nine cases, which rose to 143 in 2019.
There are 29 deaths in the province this year, including four in Cadiz City, which is the highest in the province. This year, deaths decreased by nine percent compared to the 32 in 2018.
Tumimbang said Gov. Eugenio Lacson and Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz will be briefed on the latest development on the dengue cases.
Lacson had earlier declared a dengue heightened alert in the province, where at least five localities have been recommended by the PHO for the declaration of dengue outbreak. (With a report from PNA/PN)
