By Dr. Rex Casiple
Part III
On March 21, 2020 the Department of Health Western Visayas Center for Health Development (DOH WV CHD) reported the second positive case of COVID-19 in the region. The patient is a 65-year-old male from Iloilo Province admitted to the hospital after experiencing cough and fever. He has no travel history but has contact with his relatives who traveled from abroad.
The first positive case in the Region was confirmed by the DOH WV CHD on March 20, 2020, a 56-year old Filipino male who had history of travel in United Kingdom. He was reported to be on stable condition. As of March 21, 2020 the number of cases of COVID-19 in the Philippines increased to 262 from 217 (20.74%) and the number of confirmed deaths increased to 19 from 17 (11.76%) on March 20, 2020.
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has additional advisories to all higher education institutions (HEIs) in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Concerned HEIs are advised to exercise flexibility in determining the extent of adjustments that will be made in their approved academic calendar.
All HEIs are advised to exercise discretion in the field deployment of National Service Training Program (NSTP) students for the current semester and allow the conduct school-based service activities as an alternative. In case of students undergoing on-the-job (OJT) training, HEI shall facilitate alternative activities to enable the concerned students to complete required practicum/OJT hour.
HEIs are advised to deploy available distance learning, e-learning, and other alternative modes of delivery in lieu of residential learning if they have the resources to do so; evaluate students on the basis of available indicators as of this time and forgo other curricular activities for the remainder of the semester; exercise discretion to postpone graduation ceremonies, if needed; and implement extraordinary and swift measures to address the needs of students, employees, and other stakeholders arising from COVID-19 related issues.
Private HEIs which will undertake such measures do not need to obtain prior approval from the CHED but are directed to inform CHED in writing and coordinate with the CHED regional offices to monitor and provide guidance and assistance should the need arises. In the case of state colleges and universities (SUCs) they must discuss measures to be undertaken with their respective Board of Regents/Trustees and inform the CHED regional office of such actions.
Some hospitals in the country serving as training centers for medical and nursing students are now with confirmed COVID-19 cases. In line with this CHED is appealing to officials of these hospitals to exercise leniency during this difficult time and explore alternative modes to continue the medical training and education of these students without compromising their safety. Also, HEIs should exercise leniency on their policies concerning student absences and student leaves. Students who are absent for 30 days as a result of the community quarantine should not be dropped from their classes. Students who are sick of respiratory symptoms, should contact a health professional. Students who may have close contact with persons with COVID-19 must do self-quarantine at home for 14 days.
Everyone should avoid visiting public places and/or attending big gatherings at this critical time. Any student who will go outside of his or her home is advised to wear a mask. Outside of the National Capital Region, depending on the threat posed by COVID-19, local government units have the discretion to suspend classes within its respective jurisdiction provided that, measures and arrangements are in place to allow the students to continue fulfilling their requirements.
HEIs should abide by the directives of the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) in the imposition of general and enhanced community quarantine in their respective jurisdictions. (To be continued)
