Leyte is the latest province to declare a state of calamity due to dengue after claiming the lives of six children and hospitalizing 1,747 since the start of the year.
Deaths have been recorded in Babatngon, Baybay City, Burauen, Mahaplag, and Merida.
The top five areas with recorded cases are the towns of Sta. Fe (217), Baybay City (155), Jaro (126), Palo (123), and Alangalang (118).
Dengue cases in the cities of Tacloban and Ormoc were not included in the report since they are independent from the province.
According to a report from the Philippine News Agency, this is the first time the entire province was placed under a state of calamity due to the deadly virus.
Recently, South Cotabato, Zamboanga Sibugay and Cavite provinces also declared a state of calamity due to dengue.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III has declared a national alert due to the upsurge of dengue cases nationwide. (Rommel F. Lopez)