Quezon reimposes face mask rule amid surge in flu-like illnesses
[FILE PHOTO] The provincial government of Quezon Province reimposed its face mask rule to prevent further spread of related illness.
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[FILE PHOTO] The provincial government of Quezon Province reimposed its face mask rule to prevent further spread of related illness.
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Amid rising cases of flu-like illnesses, the provincial government of Quezon Province has reimposed its face mask rule to prevent further spread of respiratory infections.
Under Executive Order No. 60, issued by Governor Angelina “Helen” Tan, all residents of Quezon are required to wear face masks indoors and outdoors when physical distancing cannot be maintained.
Similar to measures enforced during the COVID-19 pandemic, individuals showing symptoms such as colds, cough, or sore throat are advised to self-isolate to prevent infecting others. The public is also encouraged to update their flu and pneumococcal vaccinations.
In an interview, Tan clarified that there are currently no active COVID-19 cases in the province. However, hospitals and medical facilities are “overburdened” with patients suffering from flu-like illnesses.
“We don't have COVID cases, but our influenza-like and severe upper respiratory infection like community-acquired pneumonia or hospital-acquired pneumonia, bronchitis, things like that,” she said.
She added that hospitals are now overwhelmed, with many children and elderly patients admitted for coughs and respiratory symptoms.
According to the provincial government, cases of flu-like illnesses in Quezon have risen by more than 50 percent in 2025 compared to the same period last year.
Exact figures have yet to be released as local authorities continue to consolidate data from private hospitals.
“It’s like a rough estimate from the epidemiology report. I want it to be exact — how many really are the consolidated data from the private also, because all we see is from our government facility reports,” Tan said.
The governor appealed to residents to observe health and safety protocols to help reduce hospital congestion and allow healthcare workers to focus on patients with serious conditions.
“You also need to help the government because of course the number of patients is increasing… the workers are overburdened, the patients are already in the hallway, some patients are already sharing beds due to the limited capacity, so [all of us] need to work together,” she said.
“Rest assured that we’re doing all that we can to give the service our province needs.”
