Spike in QC COVID-19 cases normal–expert
Most COVID-19 infections currently circulating in the country are generally mild, with the patients recovering within a few days, an infectious disease expert said on Tuesday.
Speaking on state-run PTV, Dr. Rontgene Solante of San Lazaro Hospital urged the public to remain calm but cautious amid the recent spike in COVID-19 cases reported in Quezon City.
According to him, this should not be a cause for public concern because the prevailing variants of the virus are no longer associated with severe disease in most patients.
“This is not something to be concerned [about] because most of the COVID-19 cases we encountered only experienced mild symptoms such as colds and coughs, and would eventually recover within three to four days,” Solante said.
Milder strains
He explained that the hike in cases in Quezon City was “normal” as it coincides with the rainy season from June to November, when respiratory viral infections like influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), adenovirus and COVID-19 typically become more common.
Solante stressed that while infections continue to occur, the circulating COVID-19 variants are the same strains that have been spreading since 2024 and are “no longer as virulent and are generally not associated with severe illness or death.”
Data from the Quezon City Epidemiology and Surveillance Division showed that confirmed COVID-19 cases increased by over 265 percent to 84 cases from June 11 to July 1, up from 23 cases recorded between May 21 and June 10.
Since January, the Quezon City government has recorded 146 confirmed cases. Of the total, only 17 cases or 14 percent required hospital admission, while 108 or 86 percent were managed as outpatients, according to the Department of Health (DOH).
Around 70 percent, or the majority of the patients, have already recovered. Children aged 14 and below accounted for the largest share of confirmed COVID-19 cases at 30 percent.
Increased exposure
On the other hand, adults aged 25 to 29 and senior citizens aged 60 and above each accounted for 16 percent of cases.
Solante said the large number of COVID-19 cases among children aged 14 and below in Quezon City may be due to increased exposure in schools, where classrooms are often crowded and students interact closely with one another.
“Children in this age group are already attending school and classrooms are usually crowded. Some students have colds or coughs so transmission can easily occur,” he added.
Despite the localized increase in Quezon City, the DOH noted a significant overall decline in infections at the national level.
Cases down nationwide
From Jan. 1 to June 20, the country logged 719 cumulative cases, down by 80 percent compared to 3,579 cases reported during the same period in 2025.
According to Solante, previous COVID-19 vaccines may no longer provide strong protection against infection because of viral mutations, but they have helped reduce the risk of severe disease.
He said that COVID-19 vaccination is no longer routinely recommended for the general public, noting that available vaccines in some countries are now primarily reserved for high-risk groups such as seniors aged 65 and older and persons with comorbidities.
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