On July 6, 2026 a news article published about Quezon City’s health department has moved to ease public worry following a noticeable increase in COVID-19 infections, emphasizing that the situation does not warrant undue alarm.
Over a two-week period, confirmed cases in the city climbed from 23 to 84 a jump of more than 200 percent. The total number of infections recorded for 2026 now stands at 146.
Dr. Rolly Cruz, who heads the City Epidemiology and Surveillance Division, told ABS-CBN News that the uptick should be taken as a reminder rather than a cause for panic. He noted that the virus continues to circulate and urged residents, especially those at higher risk, to remain cautious.
“COVID-19 is still here because it has never really gone away. We need to be careful, particularly the vulnerable population, senior citizens and very young children,” Cruz said.
The highest numbers of recent infections have been logged in Districts 4 and 1. Cruz explained that this pattern does not necessarily point to a concentrated outbreak in those areas, but rather reflects where people with symptoms are more actively seeking consultation and testing.
Cruz also pointed out that most recorded cases remain mild. He cautioned, however, that the official figures only capture individuals who have been tested, and that others with symptoms who stay home or do not get tested are not reflected in the data.
“If you don’t get tested, you don’t get counted in what is reported to the city. Or if you have symptoms and just stay home, obviously you won’t be part of our numbers. So there are many like that,” he said.
With the rainy season often bringing an increase in influenza-like illnesses, health experts are advising the public to stay vigilant. They continue to recommend handwashing and the use of face masks when appropriate.
“Our health protocols are voluntary. This means that if you have symptoms, we encourage you to wear a face mask so you don’t infect others,” Cruz added.
Mayor Joy Belmonte, in a statement, said the city government is keeping a close watch on infection trends. She assured residents that while cases have risen, they account for only a very small fraction of the population, and there is no evidence of clusters.
“We assure the public that the city government is closely monitoring these developments. While there has been an increase in cases, they still represent a very small percentage of our total population. We are not seeing any clustering of cases, and all reported infections have been mild and isolated,” Belmonte said.
Samples from current patients are now being sent for genome sequencing to help identify the variant circulating in the community /Clarence Pacaña
