BORONGAN, July 30, 2019–The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council approved a resolution recommending the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to declare Eastern Samar under a state of calamity due to dengue.
The resolution that was approved during an emergency meeting by the PDRRMC on July 29, 2019 based on a letter from the Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Marian Isiderio.
According to Dr. Isiderio, there are 1,012 dengue cases recorded in the province of Eastern Samar from January to July 23.
Two-hundred fifty-seven of these cases were recorded just within the past three weeks. This is 142% higher in the same period last year.
Based on these figures, the province has crossed the epidemic threshold. Seven of the 23 municipalities and city crossed the epidemic threshold just within the past four weeks.
These are Borongan City, Taft, Lawaan, Balangkayan, Sulat Maydolong, and San Julian. Within this period there is 1 recorded fatality in Taft.
With this surge in the incidence of dengue cases, hospitals in the province are crowding with dengue patients, especially in Eastern Samar Provincial Hospital.
This is the basis of the declaration of dengue outbreak that also led to the declaration of the state of calamity.
According to the PDRRMC, a state of calamity can be declared due to a disease epidemic in a local government unit if there is a high number of cases of the disease.
This declaration of the state of calamity allows the provincial government to establish quick-response measures to address the problem.
This declaration will also authorize the provincial government to access emergency funds for the purchase of medicines and supplies to capacitate the hospitals and the communities in controlling the disease.
During the emergency meeting, Dr. Isiderio encouraged for the activation of municipal and barangay dengue taskforces as the majority of the LGUs are under alert and active dengue status.
She added that the Provincial Health Office is pushing for search and destroy operations that will be participated by the members of the communities. (Eden Cidro / ESTE News)
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