CHO: Nine dengue-related fatalities

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Newly-released data from the Bacolod City Health Office (CHO) revealed there are currently 914 reported dengue cases in the city as of September 29. Last month, data recorded up to September 8 showed a total of 747 suspected cases.

They also noted, there were nine dengue-related deaths recorded, up from the seven reported in the previous update.

Despite the increases, CHO noted, the data reflects a 38.1 percent drop in dengue cases as compared to last year.

The most recent death was a six-year-old boy from Barangay Taculing, who passed away on September 21 at South Bacolod General Hospital.

Barangay Estefania currently has the highest number of cases with 32, followed by Handumanan with 17, and Mansilingan with 15.

Previously, CHO Environment and Sanitation Division head, Dr. Grace Tan, reminded the public of “the four o’clock habit,” which encourages local communities to clean their surroundings at 4:00 p.m.

She pointed out, dengue-carrying mosquitoes usually leave breeding sites around one to two hours before sunset.

Before the insects depart, the CHO official added, residents should have already cleaned their surroundings to eliminate hiding places./DGB, WDJ