ILOILO CITY — The Department of Health – Western Visayas (DoH-6) said that deaths due to dengue-related complications have reached 31 cases in the region this year.

Dr. Bea Natalaray of the Infectious Disease Section of DoH-6 said the fatalities are linked to late detection and delayed treatment.

As of August 17, Western Visayas has recorded 15,688 dengue cases, which marks a 199 percent rise in cases compared to the 5,254 cases and 24 deaths in the same period last year.

The DoH-6 also noted a significant increase to the number villages with clustering of cases at 897, while the number of villages deemed as hotspot areas remained at 11.

The province of Iloilo remains the hardest hit, with 6,069 cases and 13 deaths.

Negros Occidental follows with 2,418 cases and six deaths. Aklan has 1,766 cases and one death and Capiz has 1,581 cases and five deaths.

The province of Iloilo declared a state of calamity due to the dengue outbreak on August 21, and Iloilo City also made the same declaration on August 28.

Despite the alarming increase in dengue cases, Natalaray said health facilities are not yet overwhelmed and the situation in the region remains manageable.

The hospital care utilization rate of health facilities in the region is currently at 72.04 percent, where the bed utilization rate stands at 73.31 percent, while the use of mechanical ventilators is at 44.56 percent.

"We have already disseminated the directive to reestablish dengue fast lanes in all health facilities as we continuously monitor the outbreak of dengue cases," she added.

In terms of blood products, Natalaray said the region has enough supply in its blood banks.

As of August 26, blood banks in Western Visayas hold 582 units of whole blood, 1,001 units of packed red blood cells, and 101 units of platelet concentrate.

"So far, we have not received any reports of shortages in our blood products, and we are monitoring blood supplies in our facilities daily," she added.