Pampanga school suspends on-site classes for 2 weeks due to flu-like symptoms 

A university in Pampanga seemed to have travelled back in time to the pandemic days with empty corridors and classrooms after the majority of its students and employees experienced flu-like symptoms

According to Jun Veneracion’s report on “24 Oras” on Tuesday, face-to-face classes in Pampanga Agricultural State University in the town of Magalang have been suspended for almost two weeks.

“We do that to prevent the further spread of the disease. Ang ginawa namin ay  preventive measure para mabawasan ang takot ng mga tao,” said Marienold Deniece Fabian-Halog, a medical officer from the university. 

A survey conducted by the school’s health unit showed that 40% of the students and 35% of the employees have reported experiencing symptoms from October 23 to 24. 

Anyone entering the school premises is required to wear a face mask as a safety precaution. Health protocols and sanitation procedures similar to the ones implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic are being enforced again. 

Only a few students, particularly those residing in the dormitories, can be seen on the campus. 

“Nadelay-delay din po, dapat may mga exams po ite-take. Na-adjust po lahat ng mga pine-prepare na kailangan gawin during last two weeks po,” a student shared. 

(Activities were delayed too; we were supposed to take some exams. Everything that needed to be prepared and done during the last two weeks was adjusted.) 

Meanwhile, university employees are working in a skeletal workforce.

While the face-to-face classes in the university will resume next week, mandatory wearing of face masks will be enforced until the last week of November. 

The Department of Health, on the other hand, said that it’s up to the institutions on what health protocols they would implement. 

“Nasa kapangyarihan ng bawat institusyon o paaralan ayon sa kanilang batas o charter kung ano ang ipaiiral nilang patakaran para sa kanilang lugar,” said DOH spokesperson Albert Domingo. 

(It is within the power of every institution or school, according to their law or charter, what policy they will enforce for their area.) —Vince Angelo Ferreras/LDF, GMA Integrated News