Spike in COVID-19 cases no cause for alarm – Quezon City

MANILA, Philippines — The Quezon City government yesterday assured the public that the surge in COVID-19 cases is not a cause for alarm, noting that all reported cases have been mild.

City hall said there had been no evidence of clustering of COVID cases or severe illness.

Data released by the city’s epidemiology and surveillance unit (CESU) over the weekend showed that there were 84 confirmed COVID cases from June 11 to July 1, up from 23 cases reported from May 21 to June 10.

A total of 146 COVID cases have been recorded in Quezon City this year.

“Most patients manifested influenza-like symptoms such as fever, cough and colds, prompting them to seek consultation in hospitals and health centers,” the local government said. “In accordance with standard health protocols, they were tested for COVID-19, leading to the confirmation of cases.”

Other cities in Metro Manila have also recorded upticks in COVID cases in the past weeks.

Mayor Joy Belmonte said the current case trend remains manageable and that relevant city offices are closely monitoring the situation.

“While there has been an increase in COVID cases, the numbers still represent a very small percentage of our total population. We are not seeing any clustering of cases. All reported infections have been mild and isolated,” Belmonte said.

She said the city health department would continue to provide medical interventions for residents experiencing COVID symptoms.

“We encourage everyone to remain vigilant, but there is no need to panic,” Belmonte said.

Children aged 14 and below make up 30 percent of the cases, followed by those aged 25 to 29 and senior citizens, with 16 percent each.

Sixty-six women and 41 men were infected with COVID, according to the local government.

The CESU said District 4 logged the largest number of COVID-19 cases with 32.71 percent, followed by District 1 with 22.43 percent.

Barangay Doña Imelda posted 11 cases. Barangays Culiat, Salvacion, Santa Teresita, Santo Cristo, Sauyo, Socorro and Tandang Sora each had four cases.

CESU head Rolando Cruz said that while there is an observed spike in COVID, cases were most likely mild.

“It rises simultaneously with influenza-like illnesses. Patients experience fever, cough, colds, sore throat and muscle pain,” Cruz said. “Many people who have the flu also test positive for COVID-19.”

Belmonte advised residents to immediately seek medical attention if flu-like symptoms develop and to continue practicing preventive measures such as wearing of face masks.

The city government is coordinating with the Department of Health (DOH) to submit samples for genome sequencing to determine the COVID-19 variant spreading among residents.

Despite the city’s lack of vaccines, the local government said 66 health centers provide free medical consultations, COVID testing and medicine for symptomatic patients.

“We really need to learn how to live with COVID-19. We should avoid close contact with people who are sick, especially if you have comorbidities or if you are a senior citizen,” Cruz said.

City health officials advised the public to wear face masks in public and wash hands regularly as a preemptive measure against contracting COVID-19.

The reported increase in COVID cases in Quezon City is expected, but should not be a cause for alarm because the current variant has not been associated with severe COVID, Dr. Rontgene Solante, head of the Adult Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Department at the San Lazaro Hospital, said.

Solante said the spike in cases would not result in increased hospital admissions or ICU utilization.

Isolated cases

The DOH said it is investigating isolated COVID cases in specific areas or health facilities.

“There is an overall decline in infections nationwide, with 719 cumulative cases reported as of June 20 compared to the 3,579 cases recorded during the same period last year,” the DOH said.

The DOH also said cases of water-borne diseases such as influenza, leptospirosis and dengue usually rise during the rainy season. — Andrew Ronquillo, Rhodina Villanueva