DUMAGUETE CITY, Aug. 3 -- Health authorities are urging the public to strengthen hand hygiene practices as reports of conjunctivitis cases, or "sore eyes," prompted some schools in this city to temporarily shift to online learning.

Dr. Deab Eltanal, acting chief of the Local Health Support Division of the Department of Health-Negros Island Region (DOH-NIR), said Monday that while the agency has received reports of cases, it has yet to obtain official figures from local health offices.

"We have received information about cases of conjunctivitis, commonly known as sore eyes, although we do not have the official numbers yet. Even so, it is important to take preventive measures to stop its spread," Eltanal said in an interview.

Eltanal exp...