Unsafe sex behind rise in HIV cases
77 new HIV cases were tallied in July alone.
“The low knowledge to prevention of HIV and stigma and discrimination attached to HIV also contributed to the high number of fresh cases,” Cruz said.
He said 321 of the 505 cases were transmitted through maleto-male sex, 116 through males having sex with both males and females and 61 via male-female sex.
Cruz attributed the high number of new HIV cases to risky sexual behavior and very low use of condom.
In a bid to address the growing HIV cases, Mayor Josefina Belmonte launched ZERO at 2030 campaign, which aims to prevent the spread of the deadly virus through prevention, control and treatment.
“We are concerned by the continued incidence of new HIV cases in the city amid our ongoing efforts to combat it,” Belmonte said.
The mayor explained that the campaign aims to have 90 percent of residents with HIV to know their status by 2022, 90 percent who are positive to get treatment and 90 percent on treatment to stay treated.
“This way, we can reach the goal of zero new cases, zero HIV-related deaths and zero discrimination by 2030,” Belmonte said.
Cruz noted that 849 HIV cases were recorded last year. He said this number would be surpassed this year since 509 cases have been reported in a span of seven months.