| |
 |
 |
| Govt releases new H1N1 school suspension guidelines |
MANILA - As more schools report confirmed cases of influenza A (H1N1) among their students, faculty and employees, health and education officials on Monday revised the guidelines on suspension of classes for schools affected by the spread of the virus.
The Department of Health (DOH), in cooperation with the Department of Education (DepEd), came up with the revised rules after studying the characteristics and transmission of the virus for one month, starting when the illness first appeared in the country.
Under the revised guidelines, classes will no longer be called off should new cases be reported in the same schools.
Revised alert levels
Under the new Alert Level Response 3, classes will only be called off for ten days after the first confirmed case is reported, to assess the medical situation of the patient and those in close contact with the patient.
The suspension of classes will also be done to enhance the campaign for cleanliness, hygiene and readiness in the school, and to disinfect the school.
Subsequent cases in the same school will only be made to go home, along those in direct contact with them, for medical observation at home or in a medical facility.
Only high-risk cases, such as those with chronic illnesses before contracting the A (H1N1) virus infection, will be hospitalized.
Meanwhile, based on the revised Alert Level Response 4, classes will no longer be suspended in schools in communities with a low-level community outbreak.
Authorities think it would be pointless to cancel classes in areas where students would be going home to a community already beset with many A (H1N1) cases.
When this happens, classes will go on, and only the sick and those in direct contact with them will be made to stay at home.
On the other hand, in schools with many buildings or large campuses, classes will only be called off in units or buildings where the patient stayed.
No gimmicks
Authorities, meanwhile, reminded students that the cancellation of classes due to A (H1N1) should not be used as an excuse to go on gimmicks, saying that they should instead observe self-quarantine and avoid crowded areas.
The DepEd is also considering how to offset the loss of class hours due to the suspension of classes, like cutting back on vacation days, giving students more homework, and utilizing the internet for out-of-school learning.
The DepEd required a total of 206 school days during the entire school year.
There are now 42 schools that have suspended classes due to the spread of the illness.
The additional schools are the Claret School of Quezon City, Holy Spirit BF in Quezon City, Assumption Antipolo, and Saint Mary's School in Catbalogan, all of which declared class suspensions Wednesday. |
| read more |
|
 |
| Suspension of Classes |
MANILA, Philippines - Tropical storm Feria has crossed Northern Samar and is now in the vicinity of Masbate, state weather forecasters said Tuesday night.
In its 10:45 p.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Association (Pagasa) said Feria is moving west northwest at 22 kph and is expected to be 90 kilometers west of Iba, Zambales by Wednesday evening.
Storm signal no. 2 was raised in Metro Manila, which means classes in elementary and high school are suspended on Wednesday.
Also under storm signal no. 2 are:
LUZON
Masbate
Ticao Island
Sorsogon
Albay
Camarines Provinces
Catanduanes
Marinduque
Romblon
Burias Island
Southern Quezon
Mindoro Provinces
Lubang Is.
Batangas
Laguna
Cavite
Bataan
Rizal
VISAYAS
Samar Provinces
Northern Leyte
Camotes Is.
Biliran Island
Northern Iloilo
Northern Negros
Northern Cebu
Aklan
Capiz
Meanwhile, signal no. 1 is up over the following areas:
LUZON
Northern Quezon
Polilio Island
Calamian group
Cuyo Island
Bulacan
Pampanga
Zambales
Tarlac
Nueva Ecija
Aurora
Pangasinan
VISAYAS
Southern Leyte
Bohol
Rest of Cebu
Rest of Negros
Guimaras
Southern Iloilo
Antique
Siquijor
MINDANAO
Surigao del Norte
Siargao Island
Dinagat Island
Camiguin
Warning
Meanwhile, Pagasa advised residents living in low lying, mountainous and coastal areas under storm warning signals no. 2 and 1 to be on alert against possible flashloods, landslides and storm surges.
The public and the disaster coordinating councils concerned are also advised to take appropriate actions and watch for the next bulletin to be issued at 5 a.m., Wednesday.
The Coast Guard is following a new policy barring travel of ships lighter than 1,000 tons in case of Storm Signal No. 1. All seacraft are barred from leaving port under Signal 2. - GMANews.TV |
| read more |
|
| |
| |
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
