About 120 people were hospitalized due to a diarrhea outbreak in Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte, after Typhoon Odette struck.
According to Surigao del Norte Gov. Francisco “Lalo” Matugas, Siargao District Hospital is currently full of patients.
“May namatay na dahil sa diarrhea. ‘Yung hospital puno na ang district hospital. Mga 120 patients na doon,” he said in a TeleRadyo on Friday.
(Someone has died of diarrhea. The district hospital is full. About 120 patients are already there.)
According to the governor, access to clean and drinking water on the island will still be difficult.
There is still no electricity in Siargao, so all water-refilling stations have not been restored to operation. He also said that ships and planes delivering relief goods are limited.
“‘Yung tubig isa ‘yun sa pinakaproblema, kasi… mga bata nagka-diarrhea,” said Matugas.
“As of now, ‘yung iba umiinom lang kung saan-saan,” he added.
(Water is one of the biggest problems because children get diarrhea. As of now, the others are just drinking everywhere.)
The officer is appealing for help, and he is specifically asking for generator sets.
About 25 people were killed in Surigao del Norte, including 18 in Siargao.
Typhoon Odette death toll reaches 326
Meanwhile, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported that the death toll due to Typhoon Odette reached 326 as of 8 am, December 24. The figure includes 312 deaths for validation and 14 confirmed fatalities.
Meanwhile, at least 58 individuals remain missing, while 661 were injured. In addition, NDRRMC said typhoon Odette displaced nearly 630,000 people.
Odette also damaged around 348,000 homes, approximately P3.9 billion worth of infrastructure, and about P2 billion worth of crops, livestock, fisheries, and agricultural equipment.
On Thursday, President Rodrigo Duterte apologized for delays in assisting the typhoon victims.
“Maghingi ako ng tawad na napatagal ang response sa gobyerno,” Duterte told residents of Puerto Princesa City.
“Sa totoo lang hirap din kami dito sa itaas because of the so many places scattered around, at malalayo, island for island—at pati iyong pera,” he continued.
(Before I say good afternoon, I will apologize first. I apologize because the response of the government has been delayed. In addition, we are having difficulties because of many places scattered around, and far apart, island for island—and also the money.)
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