DOH says no new virus as Quezon reimposes masks amid flu season

The Department of Health on Sunday, Oct. 19, said there is no new or unusual virus circulating in the country and attributed a recent rise in respiratory illnesses to seasonal influenza, even as Quezon province reinstated a mandatory face mask requirement for indoor areas and outdoor spaces where physical distancing cannot be maintained. The provincial order was issued by Governor Angelina Tan in response to an increase in coughs, colds, influenzalike illness and pneumonia that she said has strained local health facilities.

The DOH reiterated that its recommendations are based on surveillance data and evidence and urged people to practice standard preventive measures during flu season, including frequent handwashing, mask use when symptomatic or seeking protection, vaccination, covering coughs, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and avoiding smoking and vaping. “There is no unusual or new virus or strain circulating,” the department said. It reported that the leading causes of influenzalike illnesses are Influenza A, rhinovirus and enterovirus, while SARS‑CoV‑2 ranked lower, accounting for roughly 1 percent of ILI‑positive cases.

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