The Provincial Health Office in Negros Oriental is asking the public to continue wearing face masks and observe minimum protocols as Covid-19 cases rose significantly this week, an official said.

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Liland Estacion said that as of April 26, Negros Oriental logged 49 active cases.

“Last week and in the previous weeks, active infections were reported in single digits, sometimes as low as three or five cases, but now the number has gone up,” Estacion said.

One new death, a 73-year-old female from Bais City, was also reported. The fatality, who had comorbidities, died last week. She did not receive any booster shots, Estacion said.

The health official also appealed to the public to abide by the minimum health protocols, especially now that the province is under Alert Level 2, except for six towns and cities. This is due to a low 58 percent vaccination rate among the province’s total target population of 1,148,424. Those under Alert Level 1 are Dumaguete City and the towns of Amlan, Bacong, Dauin, Valencia, and Zamboanguita, for having acquired a high vaccination rate.

Dengue, typhoid fever cases up

Meanwhile, the PHO also reported spikes in the cases of dengue, typhoid fever, acute bloody diarrhea, as well as hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) since January this year.

For dengue, the province logged 398 cases with one death, which is 91 percent higher than the 208 infections and one death recorded the previous year.

Typhoid fever cases rose to 177 with zero deaths this year, higher by 75 percent than last year with 101 infections and two deaths.

HMFD cases also continue to rise with 605 cases already but with no deaths. However, Estacion said there is no comparison from last year as the PHO only started its surveillance of the disease this year.

There were also 288 cases of acute bloody diarrhea with two deaths, which is higher by 95 percent than last year’s 148 cases and zero deaths.

Estacion called on the public to remain vigilant against these diseases, especially as most infections are usually triggered by contaminated water, except for dengue which is transmitted via mosquito bites. (PNA)