San Juan City Mayor and Metro Manila Council (MMC) President Francis Zamora said Monday, Oct. 20, that there is no immediate need to mandate face masks in Metro Manila, despite a recent uptick in flu-like illnesses.
Zamora made the statement during an inspection of the San Juan City Cemetery, assuring the public of the city’s preparedness for Undas.
He noted that San Juan and other local government units (LGUs) across Metro Manila have activated protocols to manage any potential surge in influenza-like illnesses, especially as thousands are expected to visit cemeteries to honor their departed loved ones.
He emphasized that LGUs are ready to enforce mandatory masking if the Department of Health (DOH) recommends it.
The DOH earlier reported a 39 percent drop in influenza-like illness (ILI) cases during the first half of October compared to the last two weeks of September.
However, the agency urged continued vigilance, citing the seasonal nature of flu outbreaks.
Flu cases typically rise during the rainy months and persist through the transition from the southwest monsoon to the northeast monsoon (Amihan), a period marked by fluctuating temperatures and humidity—ideal conditions for viral transmission.
Despite the recent increase in flu-like symptoms, the DOH clarified that there is no ongoing flu outbreak. (Patrick Garcia)
