New HIV cases reach 1,962 from July to August

A total of 1,962 new cases of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), including those of 18 pregnant women, were reported in July to August this year, according to the Department of Health (DOH).

This meant there were 31 new cases daily in those months, according to the HIV/AID Registry of the Philippines.

At least 95 percent of the cases involved males between 25 and 34 years old.

Some 31 percent of the cases involved youths between 15 and 24 years old.

Of the 1,962 new cases, 250 had developed into full-blown AIDS. From July to August, at least 118 of those who had AIDS died. —Tina G. Santos