BACOLOD CITY -- The provincial government of Negros Occidental and the city government here have intensified their respective campaigns against dengue fever amid the continued increase in cases as of this month.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson issued Executive Order No. 19-19 pertaining to the dengue heightened alert, citing the Regional Advisory No. 10 of the Department of Health-Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) in Western Visayas dated July 9, which includes the guidelines on the declaration of dengue epidemic outbreak at the local government unit (LGU) level.
“I do hereby order and ordain the uniform implementation of the various issuances from the DOH in the management of dengue cases and outbreak in all LGUs and public health utilities in the province,” Lacson said in the order dated July 11, copies of which were released to Capitol reporters on Monday.
The governor said that health authorities in Negros Occidental have observed a continuing rise in the number of dengue cases, reaching 3,308 as of July 6 with 23 deaths.
He also cited the DOH-CHD 6 Regional Order No. 2019-09, outlining the guidelines in triaging and managing dengue cases in health facilities of Western Visayas to properly manage the influx of dengue cases and maintain appropriate case management.
Meanwhile, Mayor Evelio Leonardia urged a city-wide effort to contain dengue cases in this city.
“We again appeal to the public through the village chiefs and other barangay leaders for assistance. It calls for an intensified campaign. A meeting is being set by the City Health Office (CHO) with the barangay captains,” Leonardia said on Monday.
As of July 6, there are 561 cases, including four deaths, in Bacolod. The figure is higher by 57.6 percent compared to the previous year’s 356.
“As we have emphasized over and over again, every case should be treated with seriousness. Even if the increase is lower, the fact that there is still a threat, we should not ignore it,” the mayor said. (PNA)
