BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occidental, Philippines – The medical director of a State-run hospital here said the situation in this urban center related to CoViD cases has become “alarming” for some time now.
Physician Julius Drilon also suggested measures the local government can take to stem the rising cases in the community.
Drilon said based on swab samples sent to the testing facility at the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital where he is medical chief, between 20 and 24 percent of those tested turn out positive.
Drilon also confirmed to DNX that 47 confirmed cases are being isolated at the health facility after three positive patients died recently.
“They deteriorate rapidly,” Drilon said, referring to the mortalities, all of whom have co-morbid conditions.
Health authorities have earlier identified some comorbidity factors like pregnancy, lung and kidney diseases, diabetes, and high blood pressure that increases someone’s risk at having serious illnesses brought by CoViD.
This urban center of more than half a million is the most densely- populated city in Western Visayas region and currently has more than 500 positive cases with more than 300 still classified as “active.”
Drilon said the city government can start with an epidemiological investigation to determine the prevalence rate or the number of new and existing cases.
Targetted testing must also be implemented along with tracing and isolation of positive cases.
Drilon said the city should have more personnel for contact tracing.
The key to bringing the numbers down, Drilon pointed out, is to address the prevalence of cases.
