Classes in public schools suspended in Negros Oriental amid nCoV threat

Classes in all public schools in Negros Oriental were suspended starting Wednesday amid the threat of the deadly 2019 novel coronavirus, according to Ian Cruz's report on Unang Balita on Wednesday.

The class suspension will last until Friday, according to the order issued by Governor Roel Degamo. Mayor Felipe Antonio Remollo of Dumaguete City has also issued a similar order.

Private schools, on the other hand, were given the discretion whether or not to suspend classes. The report said some already did starting Tuesday.

Siliman University, meanwhile, came up with an alternative learning scheme or online classes for students from preschool to senior high school.

Classes in colleges and graduate school were not suspended but students were told to follow precautionary measures against the virus that has killed over 400 people in China, most of them in Hubei province.

To recall, the first two cases of novel coronavirus in the Philippines — both Chinese tourists — went to Dumaguete City from January 21 to 25. One of them had already died — the first fatality recorded outside China.

Five people who showed symptoms of novel coronavirus infection like coughs and colds have already been placed under quarantine at the provincial hospital. One of them has a travel history of visiting Taiwan while the four had contact with the Chinese couple who were tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

Some 30 others who had contacts with the foreign couple were told to undergo self quarantine. —KBK, GMA News