Flu, COVID-19 cases on the rise amid rainy season — DOH

The Department of Health (DOH) on Thursday confirmed that cases of influenza and COVID-19 have been increasing due to weather changes from warm to cold this rainy season.

The agency, however, stressed that such an increase in communicable disease infections is expected.

“Communicable diseases, particularly respiratory infections such as influenza and COVID-19 infections, are expected to increase during the rainy season and colder months due to proliferation of viruses as the weather transitions from increased heat and high humidity in the summer to wet and damp weather conditions,” the DOH said.

Data from the Health Department showed that a total of 134,637 influenza-like illness cases were recorded nationally as of September 16.

“Cases are slightly increasing with cases reported in the recent 3-4 weeks (Aug 20 - Sept 02, 2023) 8% higher compared to the two weeks prior,” the DOH said.

COVID-19 cases, meanwhile, have also been slightly increasing since August with an average of 172 new cases reported daily as of October 2.

DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire earlier said that the uptick in flu-like illnesses in some parts of the country was not due to the Nipah virus—a bat-borne, zoonotic virus spreading in India.

According to the DOH, there were significant differences in the symptoms between the Nipah virus and flu-like illnesses.

While both cause fever, patients with the viral infection also experience convulsions and confusion, as well as body aches, fatigue, headaches, sleepiness, faint spells, and swelling of the brain.

Hospitalization

Despite the rise in influenza and COVID-19 cases, the DOH pointed out that the country’s health system capacity remained at low risk.

“While we observe increases at the national and regional level, our health system capacity remains at low risk with total and ICU (intensive care units) beds utilization rate at 16% and 13%, respectively,” it added.

Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines Inc. (PHAPI) president Dr. Jose Rene de Grano also confirmed to GMA News Online that the number of patients with flu-like symptoms in hospitals have been increasing.

“Medyo po [tumataas] pero ‘di pa naman alarming masyado. We are observing pa,” he said.

(It is quite increasing but it’s not yet alarming. We are still observing.)

De Grano explained that flu cases usually rise in the third and fourth quarter of the year due to sudden weather changes.

“Ngayon [now], they are also observing the dengue and typhoid cases,” he added.

Philippine General Hospital (PGH) spokesperson Dr. Jonas del Rosario also admitted that there are more flu patients now.

Infectious diseases expert Dr. Rontgene Solante, meanwhile, said that many also develop pneumonia now due to a respiratory tract infection.

“Mostly due to pneumonia admitted cases as a result of a respiratory tract infection whether it’s an influenza like illness or other respiratory pathogens,” he told GMA News Online.

To prevent respiratory infections from further increasing, the DOH encouraged the public to assess themselves and, if needed, employ layers of protection such as wearing of face masks, ensuring adequate ventilation, and isolating when sick.

The agency continued to remind the public to get vaccinated and boosted to provide an additional layer of protection against infection or severe disease. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News