HEALTH Secretary Ted Herbosa on Friday denied rumors that the government was planning to impose a nationwide lockdown due to the spread of influenza-like illnesses (ILI).
In a press briefing on October 17, Herbosa clarified that the country was merely experiencing its usual ILI season, and that there was no outbreak to warrant lockdown measures.
“Let me explain, the lockdown was done during the COVID-19 pandemic. There is no planned lockdown. That is fake news. What we have are seasonal respiratory illnesses. So it’s not a flu outbreak,” Herbosa said.
He added that influenza-like illnesses are common during the rainy months and usually involve conditions such as cough, colds, and flu.
“It is our ILI season… Marami siyang sakit — like ubo, sipon, trangkaso, and other similar illnesses that spread fast during the rainy season. Wala tayong outbreak from a single virus, so there is no need to declare a lockdown,” he said.
Several schools across the country have recently suspended face-to-face classes due to the rising number of ILI cases, compounded by earthquake threats in Metro Manila.
