'NO CAUSE FOR CONCERN'

56 people tested positive for COVID-19 amid limited face-to-face classes —CHED chief

Fifty-six individuals tested positive for COVID-19 since limited face-to-face classes resumed in the college level in January, the head of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) said Tuesday.

During the day's Laging Handa briefing, CHED chairperson Prosper de Vera said of this number, 41 were students while 15 were faculty members.

De Vera, however, said these only accounted for about 1% of those who participated in the limited face-to-face classes in the tertiary education level.

“This is not a cause for concern because less than one percent is very, very low compared with the infection rate [happening] outside the universities,” de Vera said.

He also said that the affected students are all asymptomatic.

"This is safe compared with other activities individuals do,” de Vera added, referring to the limited face-to-face classes.

De Vera said that the conduct of limited face-to-face classes is also essential, given that the country needs more competent health workers amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said those courses prioritized in limited face-to-face classes are those needing clinical internships such as doctors, nurses, physical therapists, midwives and other health workers.

“If they don’t do clinical internships, they are at risk of not acquiring needed skills. We have to remember that they are dealing with human lives,” de Vera said.

“Without the clinical internship, they might miss skills and that would put their patients at risk,” he added.

De Vera said clinical internship is a requirement before being allowed to take a licensure exam.

“Without this, they won’t be able to finish their studies, and we need more doctors right now,” he said. --KBK, GMA News