Mask rule back in Quezon amid spike in COVID, flu-like cases

LUCENA CITY—Due to rising cases of COVID-19 and other influenza-like illnesses (ILIs) in the country, Quezon Gov. Angelina Tan ordered the mandatory wearing of face masks in all public places of the province since Friday, more than a year after the national government lifted the rule on wearing of face masks in all indoor and outdoor places.

In Executive Order No. DHT-60 issued on Dec. 27, Tan said: “Mandatory wearing of face masks shall continue to be worn for indoor settings and in outdoor settings where physical distancing cannot be maintained.” A copy of the order was posted by the Quezon Provincial Health Office (QPHO) on its Facebook page on Friday afternoon.

Tan, a physician, urged the public to also have flu and pneumococcal vaccines.

Those who show symptoms of COVID-19 and ILI should self-isolate, she stressed.

In her order, Tan noted that the Department of Health (DOH) reported an “increasing number of COVID-19 and other influenza-like illnesses.”

“As the holiday season is accompanied by increased mobility, mass gatherings and reduction in the minimum public health standards compliance, active cases are projected to continue to further increase,” Tan said.

To prevent further increase of COVID-19 and other flu-like illness cases in the province, Tan said the provincial government “has deemed it necessary to provide a protocol for COVID-19 and other flu-like illness prevention and control.”More cases expected

The World Health Organization defines ILI as an acute respiratory infection with a measured fever of 38 degrees Celsius and above, accompanied by a cough for around 10 days.

The DOH warned that ILI incidence in the country continues to rise due to the “proliferation of viruses” during the rainy season and cooler months.

More cases are expected in the coming months and wearing face masks is still one of the most effective protections against respiratory ailments, the authorities emphasized.

According to the DOH, cases of acute respiratory infection, including COVID-19, increased during the Christmas season. The agency attributed the rise to holiday parties, family reunions, large number of people in shopping malls and other public places.

The QPHO did not provide the latest number of COVID-19 and ILI cases in the province.

In its last report on COVID-19 cases on May 31, 2023, the province logged 36,433 coronavirus-infected patients and 1,637 fatalities since the pandemic broke out in early 2020.

In October last year, President Marcos issued Executive Order No. 3, allowing the voluntary wearing of face masks in indoor and outdoor settings throughout the country. INQ