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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Public schools being used as isolation centers, quarantine areas - DepEd

Public schools being used as isolation centers, quarantine areas - DepEd

Published Mar 18, 2020 12:00 am
By Merlina Hernando-Malipot Four public schools in three regions are currently being used as isolation areas and quarantine areas for suspected cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), according to the Department of Education (DepEd). Based on the COVID-19 Situation Report No. 47 as of March 17 issued by DepEd’s Bureau of Learner Support Services, there are “selected classrooms and school facilities” that are used as “isolation rooms” that are “strictly monitored.” DepEd data showed four schools in Regions IV-A, IV-B, and CARAGA are being used as quarantine areas. This is based on a partial list reported to DepEd. The quarantine areas are under the divisions of Bayugan City, Tayabas City, and Oriental Mindoro. In these four schools, 13 classrooms are being used as quarantine areas for 86 individuals, 25 of whom are learners. Based on the DepEd COVID-19 report, some of those under quarantine were participants - learners, parents/guardians, teachers, and coaches - of the National Schools Press Conference (NSPC) held in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, and National Festival of Talents (NFOT) in Ilagan City, Isabela last March 9 to 15. As cited in the latest DepEd COVID-19 report, there are eight classrooms in Baguyan National Comprehensive High School in Agusan del Sur (CARAGA) being used as isolation centers of 44 individuals, including 25 learners; one classroom in Socorro Central in Oriental Mindoro (Region IV-A) housing 26 individuals (no learners); four classrooms in Quezon Science High School in Quezon (Region IV-B) with an unconfirmed number of occupants; and 16 individuals (no learners) in Bethel Elementary School in Oriental Mindoro (Region IV-B) using the dedicated evacuation center inside the school. COVID-19 impact on education As of March 17, DepEd data showed there are 20, 247, 873 affected learners in 41, 207 schools in 184 DepEd divisions under 15 regions. From March 10 to March 16, the latest DepEd COVID-19 situation report shows around 150 individuals, including teachers, non-teaching personnel of the department and learners are being monitored for possible cases of COVID-19. The majority of these referred suspected cases were participants of the 2020 NSPC and NFOT. DepEd division offices earlier directed the participants of the two national events to undergo the 14-day quarantine as mandated by the Department of Health (DOH). Among the the actions taken by DepEd Central Office include continuous health monitoring of learners and personnel, coordination with the IATF (government inter-agency task force on COVID-19), and implementation of suspension of classes following President Duterte’s directives as well as of the concerned local government units (LGUs). Meanwhile, schools division offices reported continuous health monitoring of learners and personnel; disinfection of schools; and coordination with LGU especially on school facilities used as isolation rooms. DepEd has also been issuing issues policy directives to provide, among others, measures for the prevention and control of COVID-19 in basic education schools and DepEd offices; the formation/activation of DRRM (disaster risk reduction and management) teams to combat the virus; and safety precautions and protocols and reporting templates, as well as prevention and control measures including travel limitations and restrictions and guidelines for DepEd activities.
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