14 teachers test positive for COVID-19 in Bohol school

TAGBILARAN CITY -  Dr. Cecilio Putong National High School (DCPNHS), the province's most populated school, has been placed on a precautionary lockdown after 14 teachers tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

School principal Maurine Castano said the lockdown will last for 14 days starting Feb. 18 as part of efforts to contain the virus.

She said 14 teachers, mostly Grade 7 level mentors,  tested positive for COVID-19.

Of the 14, 10 are from Tagbilaran City, while the rest are from various towns.

One teacher was admitted in a private hospital, six were sent to government designated quarantine facilities while seven are in their homes for isolation.

The teachers attend the Learning Action Cell (LAC) session in school and they also distribute modules for different grade levels on scheduled days.

Castano explained that a teacher only attends an LAC session once week that lasts from 3 up to 3.5 hours to observe teaching demonstration.

She also clarified that the first patient didn't attend any of the LAC session. But the teacher already exhibited symptoms on February 6 and still went to school on Feb. 8 and 9.

Castano said that all 13 who tested positive stayed near the said teacher inside the air-conditioned Grade 7 faculty room during an off-time in the distribution of modules.

The school's Grade 7 level has 50 teaching staff with at least 1,300 students.

She said authorities have yet to determine where the teacher contracted the virus as contact tracing being conducted.

DCPNHS, the catch basin of learners in Tagbilaran City and nearby towns, has a student population of 7,399 with 284 teaching and non-teaching personnel.

Castano said the distribution of modules was suspended. 

"The modules can wait. We have to ensure everybody's safety first. We have to remember that life once lost can not be recovered," said Castano who asked the parents and students for their understanding and cooperation.

Meanwhile, the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CDRRMO) personnel had disinfected the entire school.

School operation will resume once there will be clearance from the city inter-agency task force.

As of 3 p. m. on Monday, Feb. 22, the province of Bohol has 1,036 confirmed cases There were 98 active cases, 918 recoveries and 20 deaths. -- BAP, GMA News