DepEd NCR suspends public school classes for Oct. 13 and 14 to prioritize health and safety
Amid the rise of influenza-like illnesses among students and school staff in schools and public spaces, the Department of Education-National Capital Region has announced the suspension of classes in public schools across Metro Manila.
In an advisory posted on their Facebook on Sunday night, the DepEd NCR announced that schools will shift to alternative delivery modalities, either synchronous or asynchronous, to ensure the prioritization of health and safety of students and school personnel.
“The Department of Education – National Capital Region issues this advisory to ensure the continuity of learning while prioritizing the health, safety, and structural security of all public schools,” the advisory said.
Aside from the health concerns, the Department of Education has also expressed alarm over the series of earthquakes striking the country, which began in Cebu last Sept. 30 with a 6.9-magnitude quake. Recently, tremors have been felt in Metro Manila following a magnitude five earthquake that struck Zambales on Saturday evening.
During the two-day class suspension, DepEd assured that, aside from cleaning and disinfecting classrooms and common areas, schools will also prepare to conduct earthquake preparedness drills and other emergency protocols.
This initiative aims to enhance health and safety awareness among students, school personnel, and parents in response to the natural disasters affecting the country.
To ensure these preparedness and safety measures are effectively carried out, DepEd has also coordinated with division engineers and local government units for inspection and mitigation actions.
Data from the Quezon City Epidemiology & Surveillance Division shows that 1,809 cases of Influenza-like Illness were tallied between Jan. 1 and Oct. 1—a 50.75% jump over the figures from the previous year. The QCESD also confirmed that three deaths have been attributed to the illness.
The Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines, Inc. also reported a notable 10% increase in patient admissions for viral diseases across private hospitals during the third quarter.
“Those admitted are mostly children. Adults with flu-like symptoms usually don’t get confined,” PHAPI president Dr. Jose Rene De Grano said in an interview. “I can’t really say it is influenza because no tests are made, but it is classified as Sytemic Viral Infection – SVI is the general term but symptom-wise, it is flu.”
