WHILE taking a final exam in law school last May, I was running a fever but chose to push through rather than ask my professor for a reschedule. Around the same time, my daughter and her two sons also developed fevers. Concerned, she went to St. Luke’s for testing and received a positive result. That’s when we realized COVID had once again entered our home.
Many now brush off COVID as just a mild flu, but its ease of transmission—especially within households and workplaces—makes it far more disruptive. In our case, several family members fell ill at once. While most experienced only mild symptoms, the concern of possibly infecting others weighed heavily on us.
Even official events aren’t spared. Our Executive Course on National Security at the National Defense College of the Philippines had to be postponed twice after speakers and participants tested positive. It’s a clear signal that the virus is still active and relevant, and protocols still have to be followed.
According to the World Health Organization, 359,027 new COVID-19 cases were reported worldwide between May 12 and June 8—a sharp rise from the previous period. Over 900 related deaths occurred in 37 countries. The global test positivity rate was 3.9%, based on about 57,000 tests during the first week of June. A new subvariant, NB.1.8.1, is now responsible for 28% of reported sequences—up from 20% in early May.
Locally, the Department of Health reports 1,774 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Philippines for 2025—an 87% drop from the previous year. But with many cases now unreported and mild infections managed at home, the real numbers may be higher. Doctors often recommend a three-day rest, signaling a shift in how we respond—but not a sign that the risk is gone.
The truth is, COVID never disappeared. It evolved and lingered in the background while we grew more relaxed. But for families like mine and others recently affected, it’s a reminder that we must remain careful.
COVID is back, and a bit of vigilance can still protect the people we love. Mask up in crowded places. Rest when unwell. Let’s not let our guard down just yet.
