By Dr. Rex Casiple
In January 2020, the universities in the United States prepared to combat the entrance of corona virus (2019-nCov) in their respective school campuses. Students from several universities who travelled to China, preferably those who travelled to Wuhan Province where the virus originated, were tested for possible cases of 2019-nCov. Everyone in the school premises was informed of the nature of the respiratory threat caused by the virus and how to get health care if there were signs and symptoms of the virus within their areas. Everyone was advised to be vigilant always. Information and precautions dissemination to prevent the spread of the 2019-nCov, the flu and other respiratory viruses were done for the general public. Students who were sick or suspected to have virus were advised to stay at home. Instructors were encouraged to help their sick students comply with their requirements in school through an alternative learning system other than classroom-based learning.
The first person-to-person spread of the coronavirus in the U.S. was in Illinois between a Chicago woman in her 60s, who had recently returned from Wuhan, China, and her 60 year-old spouse. The same person-to-person incident also happened in Vietnam, Hong Kong, Germany and Japan. At the time, more than 20,000 infections occurred in China with over four hundred (400) deaths attributed to the virus. In time, more cases were seen in fifteen countries outside China. As there have been cases of infected people displaying no symptoms, it has been difficult for medical experts and health officials to control the spread of the disease.
In February 2020, the Department of Education (DepEd) regarded the coronavirus as a serious concern that warranted the closure of school premises. Many countries in the world announced blanket restrictions on people who have recently been to China. Other countries declared a state of emergency to fast-track efforts to prevent the spread of coronavirus after cases of the virus were confirmed in their respective area of jurisdiction. Guidelines for the prevention, control and mitigation of the spread of the 2019-Novel Coronavirus Acute Respiratory Disease (2019-nCov ARD) in higher education institutions (HEIs) in the country were issued. Students, faculty, and staff in schools were updated and guided regularly through the Department of Health (DOH) and the World Health Organization (WHO) websites. HEIs were encouraged to create a trustworthy portal of information to ensure that official advisories from the WHO and DOH remained visible across multiple communication channels.
Students, faculty, and staff were advised to stop reading, liking, and sharing fake news, unverified content, and misleading information on social media platforms. Everyone in schools experiencing symptoms of an infection, such as fever, cough, or shortness of breath was advised to immediately seek medical attention. To prevent the entrance of coronavirus in schools all HEIs were encouraged to establish screening procedures in line with WHO guidelines. On the incoming athletics and other activities in schools, HEIs were enjoined to postpone these activities and avoid other crowded events that may result in the spread of virus. Travels to the People’s Republic of China and its special administrative regions were temporarily banned. School personnel and students coming from a travel abroad were required to comply with the prescribed quarantine procedures.
In March 2020, corona virus prevention, control, and mitigation in schools and in community became a national concern in the country. A state of emergency was declared to fast-track efforts of preventing the spread of coronavirus after cases of the virus were confirmed in Metro Manila and in some parts of the country.
(To be continued)
