COOL WEATHER. People enjoy doing outdoor activities boating at Burnham Park despite the cold temperature. The Department of Health in the region has recorded a drop in the number of influenza-like illnesses, attributing it to the people's awareness in boosting their immune system due to the coronavirus disease (Covid-19). (PNA photo by Jephryll Jallen Epler)
BAGUIO CITY—The Department of Health Cordillera Administrative Region (DOH CAR) said influenza is not an alarming case in the region despite the continuous drop of temperature here.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) recorded a 9.4 degrees Celsius temperature at 6 a.m. on Friday.
A drop in temperature has consistently been recorded in the past days, fearing an increase in influenza-like illnesses.
PAGASA Baguio weather specialist Hilario Esperanza said with the drop to the lowest temperature recorded this year, they are still expecting colder temperatures until the end of the month up to the first week of March.
Karen Lonogan of DOH-CAR at the Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (RESU) said flu viruses are efficient in replicating during the cold weather.
She, however, said since the start of the year, there are 993 flu cases recorded compared to the 2,206 cases during the same period in 2019.
Lonogan said despite the virus's efficient replication in the cold, the possible decrease of flu cases can be related to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) scare, making people more cautious about their health.
“Mas naging aware sila, takot sila magkaroon ng sipon or ubo kaya medyo nagde-decrease kaya bumaba po (They become aware and they are afraid to catch a cold or cough that's why there's a decrease [in flu cases])," Lonogan said.
The Covid-2019 and the common colds are both from the coronavirus family.
Though a drop in influenza cases, Lonogan still advised the public to continue practicing proper hygiene. (With a report from Jephryll Jallen Epler/ PNA)
