By Dr. Rex Casiple
In the evening of March 14, 2020, the Department of Health (DOH) reported 13 new cases of the coronavirus disease or COVID-19, bringing the country total to 111. This came shortly after the agency reported a 53% increase in the number of cases from 64 to 98. Eight (8) deaths were confirmed. On March 16, 2020 the number of cases increased to 140 (26%) and the number of deaths increased to 12 (50%). COVID-19 had killed more than 5,400 people worldwide, mostly in China, since the outbreak began in Wuhan City in December 2019. At least 145,000 people have been infected worldwide.
Expecting the possibility of a community level transmission all higher education institutions (HEIs) were encouraged to establish protocols on Emergency Plan based on the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines to stop the spread of COVID-19. Classes in all levels in Metro Manila were suspended until March 14, 2020. On the job trainings (OJTs), internship, and/or practicum in the National Capital Region (NCR) were also suspended.
HEIs were advised to coordinate with their respective Host Training Establishment (HTE) for any adjustment of training hours and/or to consider alternative modalities for the OJT, internships, and practicum of affected students. Students, faculty, staff and HEI administrators currently situated in countries with reported and confirmed cases of COVID-19 were advised to contact the nearest Philippine Embassy and/or Consulate to confirm their status and/or health conditions. HEIs in advance established plans and procedures should a case of COVID-19 transmission is identified. This was done in collaboration with their DOH Regional Offices.
On March 17, 2020 the number of cases of COVID-19 in the Philippines increased to 187 from 140 (34%) and the number of confirmed deaths increased to 14 (17%). On March 19, 2020 the cases further increased to 202 (8%) and the number of confirmed deaths increased to 17 (21%). Classes in Metro Manila continued to be suspended until April 14, 2020. The community quarantine was imposed over the entire National Capital Region (NCR) beginning March 15, 2020 to April 14, 2020.
Public and Private HEIs in Metro Manila that are still using the old academic calendar with school year ending in March or in April canceled their graduation ceremonies in compliance with the restriction on mass gatherings that resulted to huge crowd. State colleges and universities (SUCs), local colleges and universities (LUCs) and some private HEIs that have shifted their academic calendar or whose school semester starts in January adjusted their semester as needed, adopted different delivery modes of teaching, and provided make up classes to compensate for the 30-day class suspension. All public and private HEIs ensured that employees who were part of the skeletal force observed social distancing and practiced precautionary measures directed by the DOH.
Community quarantine was declared in many parts of the country. Domestic travel in air, sea and land to and from Metro Manila was temporarily restricted during the community quarantine period. Hence some students, faculty and staff opted to go home in their respective places outside of Metro Manila. In line with this, considering the health crisis in the country caused by COVID-19, HEIs exercised leniency on their policies concerning student absences and student leaves.
As a result of the community quarantine students who were absent for 30 days were not dropped from their classes. Students who may have close contact with persons with COVID-19 must do self-quarantine at home for 14 days. Any student who will go outside of his or her home is advised to wear a mask.
(To be continued)
