Flu-like illness cases 'plateauing’ —DOH

Cases of influenza-like illness (ILI) are expected to decrease in the coming weeks, according to the Department of Health (DOH) as it reported that numbers have begun to "plateau."

Based on DOH’s data, a total of 11,855 ILI cases were reported on October 1-14, which were “almost the same” as the 11,801 cases logged two weeks prior.

“Based on the five-year data, the recent rise in ILI cases are expected and can be attributed to the rainy season. Moreover, we anticipate the cases to decrease in the coming weeks,” DOH said on Wedensday.

Despite this, the 171,067 overall ILI cases registered from the start of the year up to October 28 were 49% higher than the 114,536 cases reported during the same period in 2022.

Health Secretary Ted Herbosa earlier urged the public to get flu shots and wear face masks amid the rising ILI cases this rainy season.

The DOH also encouraged the public to assess themselves and employ layers of protection to prevent respiratory infections from further increasing, especially this upcoming holiday season. —VAL, GMA Integrated News