Infectious disease expert Dr. Edsel Salvana said on Monday, Jan. 3 that Florona, or the combination of the Influenza virus and coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is not an unusual phenomenon and has already occurred in the Philippines.
Salvana said in a press briefing of the Department of Health (DOH) that the first COVID-19 death in the Philippines back in January was a Chinese national who had both Influenza B, COVID-19 and Streptococcus pneumonia.
"It's an unfortunate confluence of events na naexpose ka sa dalawang pathogens (that you were exposed to two pathogens)," Salvana said.
Another factor that should be considered according to him, is if the patient has existing comorbidities such as diabetes and hypertension.
"But it's not unusual to see co-infection in these cases and that is why we advise everyone especially those who are vulnerable to get your influenza shot, your COVID vaccine and your pneumonia vaccine," he added.
Salvana explained that these vaccines are essential to avoid the infection of two or more viruses or bacteria which have a high chance of killing a person.
Meanwhile, the DOH clarified that Delmicron is not a new COVID-19 variant but refers to the phenomenon of increasing COVID-19 cases in an area brought about by the Delta and the Omicron variant.