DepEd warns school authorities not reporting A(H1N1) cases

By Jason Faustino

06/17/2009

Education Undersecretary Ramon Bacani yesterday warned school authorities that would not report to the Department of Education (DepEd) and Department of Health (DoH) cases of Influenza A(H1N1) flu virus that they would be the ones to suffer in the end in exchange for protecting the names of their schools.

Bacani issued the warning after receiving reports that several schools in provincial areas are not reporting A(H1N1) cases to the health office for fear they would be ostracized.

Bacani, however, said it would be more prudent for school authorities to report the cases since they cannot help them if they refused to be identified.

“Nasa interes ng eskwelahan na mag-report ng kaso para matulungan sila, at saka hindi naman maitatago kung marami na ang nagkakasakit,” Bacani said.

A private school in Barangay Concepcion in Marikina City suspended classes until June 26 after a 3rd year female high school student was suspected of having strong symptoms of the Influenza A(H1N1) virus.

Officials of the school said they would issue a statement but at press time they had not done so.

In the same light, Bacani said teachers who would be suspected of having acquired the virus will also be asked to subject themselves to quarantine.

Asked on how the students will be able to cope with the loss of school days, Bacani said school principals were directed to conduct make-up classes for students involved.

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