DepEd confirms COVID-19 cases in some schools

The Department of Education (DepEd) has confirmed receiving reports of COVID-19 cases in several schools amid the resumption of face-to-face classes.

According to Lei Alviz’s report on “24 Oras” on Monday, the DepEd has yet to release further details on the cases including the exact figures and the location of the schools.

But it said that strict compliance to health protocols is being ensured.

“In a gathering of people, especially of learners and teachers in classrooms, expected naman po talaga na may mag-positive (it is expected someone will test positive),” DepEd spokesperson Michael Poa said.

“Hindi po 'yan naiiba sa mga office situations. Gusto po natin iwasan talaga and that's why we're closely monitoring is 'yung pagkakaroon ng surge,” he said. (That’s not different with office situations. We want to avoid it and that's why we're closely monitoring the surge.)

Schools are strictly implementing the minimum public health standards including in Batasan Hills National High School (BHNHS) in Quezon City where around 18,000 students are currently enrolled.

“’Yung mga bata natin na nilalagnat ay pinapasundo na sa parents. Maliban sa monitoring sa gate, sa classroom chine-check noong subject teacher tsaka adviser,” said BHNHS officer-in-charge Cerilo Castillo.

(If a child is sick, we ask their parents to pick them up. Aside from monitoring at the gate, the subject teacher and adviser check them in the classrooms.)

Castillo said no COVID-19 cases were monitored in the institution since the start of in-person classes.

Meanwhile, one student contracted the dreaded virus at San Juan Elementary School.

“Pinapaliwanag po namin sa magulang na kapag masama ang pakiramdam ng inyong mga anak, 'wag na munang papasukin,” said principal Lloyd Tulaylay.

(We explain to parents that if their child is sick, they should not allow him to go to school.)

“Noong nakaraang buwan kasi uso 'yung trangkaso...mga flu natin so 'pag ganun, ina-apply namin 'yung distance learning,” he said.

(Last month, a lot of people were sick with flu so we implemented distance learning.)

Under DepEd Order No. 34, students who will exhibit COVID-19 symptoms will be excused from in-person classes and will shift to distance or modular learning. 

Meanwhile, under DepEd Order No 39, schools are instructed to strengthen community monitoring measures and referral systems to the local government units (LGUs) and health centers and encourage participation and cooperation of parents and communities for safe transportation and home care isolation of students when sick.

The Education department likewise encourages all students, teachers, and non-teaching personnel to avail the COVID-19 vaccines and continue adhering to the minimum public health standards.—Sundy Locus/LDF, GMA News