CHED: Minimal COVID-19 infections recorded among students, teachers in face-to-face classes

The Commission on Higher Education on Monday said a minimal number of COVID-19 infections were reported among students and teachers participating in the limited face-to-face classes in the country.

Interviewed on ANC, CHED executive director Cinderella Jaro said most of the cases had mild symptoms or were asymptomatic.

"The infection of the students attending the limited face-to-face classes has been really minimal, including 'yong infection ng faculty... Based on the reports of our regional offices, most of them or all of them are mild to asymptomatic cases," she said.

With this, Jaro said the implementation of protocols have been effective in curbing the spread of the virus among learners and faculty.

The government initially allowed limited face-to-face classes for allied health sciences and medicine only.

Last month, President Rodrigo Duterte approved CHED's request to allow face-to-face classes for five other degree programs — Engineering and Technology programs, Hospitality/Hotel and Restaurant Management, Tourism/Travel Management, Marine Engineering, and Marine.

Last week, CHED chairman Prospero De Vera III said they are studying the possibility of allowing limited face-to-face classes in all degree programs in areas that have low cases of COVID-19 and high vaccination rates. — Ma. Angelica Garcia/RSJ, GMA News