MISAMIS ORIENTAL (PIA)—As the Provincial Health Office-Misamis Oriental (PHO-MisOr) continues its crusade to protect all Misamisnons, the health office has noticed a significant increase in the number of new cases recorded within two weeks of monitoring the province's COVID-19 situation.

"Medyo naay gamay nga pagsaka sa COVID-19 cases ang atong na-monitor over the past two weeks. (We have monitored a slight increase in COVID-19 cases). That is why we continue to emphasize the need for COVID-19 vaccination,” Dr. Teodoro Yu, technical division chief of the Misamis Oriental Provincial Health Office said.

Yu emphasized the importance of the vaccination program, saying that despite the tireless efforts of all of the province's health workers to explain the importance of vaccination by conducting house-to-house campaigns even in the province's most remote areas, there are still those who are hesitant to get booster shots due to fears of rumored side effects and misconceptions, while others do not see the need for such additional shots.

He said that during the ’Pinas Lakas’ vaccination program, the province had a turnout of 20.10 percent compared to the fifty percent target set for the first booster dose, and 73.65 percent out of the ninety percent target for the senior citizen population.

Though the target was not met, PHO assures the public that they will continue to do their duty to inform the public about the importance of being fully vaccinated, including a complete set of booster shots, and to implement the vaccination campaign, especially now that new variants of COVID-19 have been identified and reported by the Department of Health.

Meanwhile, Yu shared that, in addition to COVID-19, the PHO is also monitoring dengue cases in the province, which, according to him, have significantly increased compared to last year.

PHO MisOr reported that as of October 22, the case had increased to 1,459, more than doubling the previous year's total of 759.

Records also show that patients who contracted dengue were aged 1 to 12 years old, making up 67 percent of the total number of cases.

It was also noted that the number of recorded dengue deaths had increased, with four deaths recorded as of October this year compared to one death last year.

With such an increase in dengue cases, the PHO continues its campaign to implement the 5S Kontra Dengue: Search and Destroy breeding sites, Self-protection measures, Seek early consultation, Sustain Vector Control Measures, and Sustain Hydration, in which the public is urged to join to reduce the risk of having dengue in their community.

PHO MisOr continues to remind the public to be mindful of one’s health and that their office is always open to assist all of the province's rural health. They also urge those who have not yet been fully vaccinated to avail of the government's COVID-19 vaccination program so that they can be protected from severe virus infection. (JAKA/PIA10)