Noting the rise of flu-like cases in the Philippines, Health Secretary Ted Herbosa on Tuesday, Oct. 24, said some schools have shifted to online or blended learning to stop the spread of the virus among their students.
Health Secretary Ted Herbosa replies to questions from the media during a Palace press briefing on Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023. (RTVM screenshot)
In a Palace press briefing, the official confirmed that the Department of Health’s (DOH) epidemiology bureau is currently monitoring the increasing cases of “influenza-like illness.”
“Parang tumaas nga (It looked like it really increased). There are some schools that converted to online blended learning because of the number of students,” he told reporters.
The rainy season has contributed to the spike on respiratory illnesses because people are in “closed spaces” and they can really get infected.
Herbosa reminded the general public to remember “self-protection” or the “things we learn(ed) during Covid,” which were to wear a mask if “you have a cough, colds or respiratory illness.”
He also asked the public, especially those in the “high-risk” category, such as the elderly or the senior citizens, to get their flu shot at the health office.
“And then, kung kayo ay may sakit, respiratory illness, ubo, sipon (if you are sick with respiratory illness, cough, colds), sore throat, it’s better to stay at home than infect all other colleagues in the office or in the school,” Herbosa said.
Last week, DOH data showed that there were 151,375 cases of influenza-like illness cases reported so far this year.
This was 45 percent higher compared to 104,613 cases reported during the same period last year.
From Sept. 3 to 16, 2023 alone, ILI cases increased by 26 percent compared to the reported cases two weeks prior, the DOH added.
