AS THE number of cases continue to rise in the province, the Provincial Health Office (PHO) of Negros Occidental has ordered all hospitals in the province to activate their respective dengue fast lanes.Provincial Health Officer Dr. Ernell Tumimbang said all patients who showed symptoms or were already diagnosed with dengue fever should be given priority for treatment.But, Tumimbang emphasized that there is no need yet to declare a dengue outbreak in the province.Based on PHO’s monitoring from January 1 to May 21 this year, dengue cases in Negros Occidental have already reached 670, or an increase of 278.83 percent compared to last year’s 177 cases.The PHO had already raised the alarm after cases breached the 500 mark earlier this month.It has also activated an anti-dengue task force to deal with the rising cases.Dengue causes a severe flu-like illness that could sometimes be fatal. Its carriers are day-biting mosquitoes.