ROXAS City – Capiz has 57 cumulative cases of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection from 1984 to March this year, according to the Provincial Health Office (PHO).
Three of them have died, one of whom expired this year, PHO medical specialist IV Evelyn Bolido said without disclosing details.
Of the total cases, 49 were males and eight were females.
Twenty-four were homosexuals, 20 were heterosexuals and 12 were bisexuals; one got the virus through mother-to-child transmission, Bolido said.
Most of those infected (38) were 25 to 34 years old; nine patients were 15 to 24 years old; seven patients, 35 to 49 years old; two patients, 50 years old or older; one patient, 15 years old or younger.
Bolido encouraged people to get tested for HIV at either PHO or the City Health Office (CHO) here. Testing is free.
At CHO is a Department of Health-accredited laboratory with HIV counselors and medical technicians, she said.
Capiz will join the observance of the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial at 4 p.m. on May 17 in support of people living with HIV-AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome), remember those who died of the disease and educate the people about it.
There will be a fun run from Pueblo de Panay near the Roxas City Police Station to the Provincial Park. It will be followed by a short program and the candle-lighting ceremony.
The fun run is a fund-raising for Capiz Shells, an organization comprising males who have sex with males advocating HIV prevention. PHO will give snacks to the first 100 participants.
Runners are required to wear red and may donate to Capiz Shells. (PN/RALPH JOHN MIJARES)
