DOH reports 77 heat-related health cases

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MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) said on Tuesday that 77 heat-related health cases have been reported from the beginning of the year up to April 29.

Among the 77 cases, there were seven reported deaths.

“But this is still inconclusive as to whether it was due to heat stroke because of  incomplete data,” DOH Epidemiology Bureau Health Office Dr. Vito Roque Jr. said in a Senate panel briefing.

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Most cases were reported in Central Visayas at 66 cases, followed by Soccsksargen at six, the Ilocos Region at four, and Calabarzon at one case.

Meanwhile, Soccsksargen had six reported deaths, while Calabarzon had one reported death.

On the other hand, the DOH reported that 67 cases of heat-related health cases among students have been reported: one case in the Ilocos Region; and 66 cases in Central Visayas.

Roque likewise said that alternative delivery modes must be done to mitigate heat-related illnesses among students.

“We, the Department of Health, laud the noble intention to shift the conduct of classes to alternative delivery modes or ADM in response to extreme heat in the country and thereby mitigate the advent of heat-related illness,” Roque added.