The Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH) HIV and AIDS Core Team (HACT) is urging individuals who may have potentially contracted the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) to get tested.

Amid the rising number of HIV-related cases in Negros Occidental, HACT nurse Emmanuel Rectra II said their clinic is always open for individuals to get tested.

He added, personal information would remain confidential.

According to Rectra, between January and October of this year, there are currently 580 HIV-positive individuals in Negros Occidental. However, earlier this month, the Bacolod City Health Office (CHO) reported there were 590 cases.

When asked about the difference between HACT and CHO data, Rectra said the 590 does not take into account the period towards the end of October.

In addition, Negros Occidental has the second-highest number of cases in Region 6, with Iloilo City recording 700 HIV-related cases./DGB, WDJ