South Cotabato, Koronadal City- The Provincial Government of South Cotabato is facing dengue cases amid COVID-19.
Dengue cases in the province of South Cotabato have inflated to 728, as confirmed by provincial mosquito-borne disease coordinator Jose Barroquillo based on data from the Provincial Epidemiology Surveillance Unit from January 1 to June 7 of 2021.
According to Barroquillo, the outbreak may not develop into an epidemic or alert threshold despite this year’s cases being higher by 24 percent than those recorded in 2020.
Despite the attention given by the provincial government of South Cotabato to its Covid-19 pandemic response, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) stated they are fully prepared in case there is a rise of dengue cases in the province.
According to PDRRMO officer-in-charge Rolly Aquino, the agency has allocated funds for procurement of chemicals and machines for fogging operations to be done in the barangay (villages) with high cases of dengue fever.
Barroquillo urged the public to do the 4S Strategy or “Search and Destroy, Self-Protection Measures, Seek Early Consultation and Support Fogging or Spraying in hotspot areas.”
The Department of Health-Region 12 reminded residents to stay alert as it would be deadly for them to contract both dengue and Covid-19 at the same time.
