The Department of Health reported on Thursday an increase in the number of respiratory infections, such as influenza-like illness and COVID-19, which are common during the rainy season.

According to the Health Department, Covid-19 cases have been slightly increasing since August with an average of 172 new cases per day.

Earlier this week, the department reported 1,231 new COVID-19 cases, of which eight were tagged as severe and critical cases.

The daily average cases also climbed from 172 to 176, which is 6 percent higher than the cases from 18 to 24 September.

Despite the reported increase in COVID-19 cases at the national and regional level, the DoH said the country's health system capacity "remains at low risk" with total and intensive care unit bed utilization rates at 16 percent and 13 percent, respectively.

The agency also recorded a total of 134,636 cases of influenza-like illness across the country.

"Cases are slightly increasing with cases reported in the recent three to four weeks (20 August to 4 September) 8 percent higher compared to the two weeks prior," it said.

'Expect more'

The DOH warned the public to expect more cases of respiratory infections in the coming months as the country approaches colder months.

"Communicable diseases, particularly respiratory infections such as influenza and COVID-19 infections, are expected to increase during the rainy season and colder months due to the proliferation of viruses as the weather transitions from increased heat and high humidity in the summer to wet and damp weather conditions," it said.

To prevent respiratory infections from further increasing, especially this rainy season and upcoming holiday season, the agency "encouraged to perform individual self-assessment and, as needed, employ layers of protection such as masking, ensuring adequate ventilation, isolating when sick, as well as getting vaccinated and boosted to provide additional protection against infection or severe disease."