MANILA, Philippines — Health Secretary Ted Herbosa denied that there is a flu outbreak in the country, saying that the illness is common during the rainy season.
Herbosa also debunked claims that a lockdown is imminent due to the surge in flu cases.
Classes in different parts of the country have shifted online for days now to allow school authorities to conduct disinfection and sanitation of buildings.
“We do not have a flu outbreak,” Herbosa said yesterday as he appeared before the Independent Commission for Infrastructure for an inter-agency meeting with the education and agriculture departments.
The health chief said influenza-like illnesses like cough, cold and fever “spread very fast during the rainy season.”
“We don’t have an outbreak from a single virus,” Herbosa stressed.
Lockdown fears emerged after the previous one, during the COVID-19 pandemic, forced people to be cloistered inside their residences for a year or so.
This time, Herbosa said, “there is no planned lockdown. That is fake news.”
As of Oct. 4, the Department of Health has reported 127,749 cases of influenza-like illness. This is down six percent from the same period last year.
Herbosa reminded the public to practice health precautions, such as covering the mouth when coughing or sneezing, wearing a face mask and staying at home if sick.