5 Cagayan folk positive for (A)H1N1; 5 Baguio schools suspend classes

BAGUIO CITY – Classes in five big schools in this mountain resort city are still suspended due to suspected infection of a number of students by the dreaded A(H1N1) virus.

This, as five residents from northern Cagayan Valley tested positive for A(H1N1) virus, the Tuguegarao City-based regional office of the Department of Health disclosed Thursday..

But health officials said the victims, the first to be reported positive with the flu virus in the region, are already recovering following weeks of intense medical treatment.

Besides an eight-year-old elementary school pupil, the four other people who tested positive include three high school students from a school in Tuguegarao City and an overseas Filipino worker who came from the Middle East.

In Baguio, city health officer Dr. Florence Reyes said as of Thursday, three cases were reported from the Baguio City National High School, one in Saint Louis University and one in University of Baguio High School. All the patients have recovered, according to Reyes.

The said schools suspended classes from July 8 to July 20 while other schools like the University of Baguio and Baguio Patriotic School followed suit last July 9.

Patriotic and the University of the Cordilleras reported suspected cases but there was still no result as of Thursday. Pines City Educational Center declared class suspension also last Friday.

The BCNHS will suspend regular classes in its main campus until July 15 as preventive measure to avert spread of A(H1N1).

Dr. Elma Donaal, BCNHS principal, said classes in the school’s main campus will resume on July 16 to give time for sick students to rest.

BCNHS is the largest public secondary school in this city with a total population of over 10,000 students in its main campus.

It has 11 annexes in the city in which at least 7,000 secondary students are studying.

While classes are suspended for one week, school officials, teachers, and the employees will disinfect the rooms and other facilities to eliminate the virus.

Since June 24, the school’s medical clinic has been recording an abnormal increase in number of students seeking consultations about flu-like symptoms which they manifested.

Earlier on Wednesday, SLU suspended classes on all levels in its campuses July 8-19 to protect over 40, 000 students from the disease.

Two SLU students reportedly showed flu-like symptoms, prompting university officials to close down the school for the mandatory 10-day quarantine period.

Both students are now confined at the Sacred Heart Hospital.

Work in different SLU campuses was also suspended, but non-teaching personnel were ordered to return to work on July 18 to prepare the school for resumption of classes.

Meanwhile, UB also suspended classes on elementary and secondary levels for five days to sanitize its facilities and prevent spread of the dreaded virus.

The two schools advised students experiencing flu symptoms to visit the nearest clinic or hospital so that they could be diagnosed to find out what sickness they are suffering from.
Dr. Myrna Cabotaje, regional director of the Center for Health Development in the Cordillera, said the decision of the schools to suspend classes is considered precautionary and preventive due to reported increase in the number of students with flu-like symptoms.

She said it is now the prerogative of the school administration to suspend classes even if there is no confirmed A(H1N1) case in its campus to ensure that the students are spared by the disease.

In a related development, SM Supermalls embarked on a campaign to promote ways to help fight the spread of A H1/N1 virus.
At present, SM has 35 malls nationwide and receives an average of 2.8 million shoppers daily.

SM Supermalls are also a home to 12,000 tenants, served by more than 25,000 SM employees.

Campaigns on proper handwashing had been part of SM advocacy to inform and educate its customers, even before the SARS scare.

SM is nowconducting orientation seminars among tenants and employees. As part of the malls’ preventive measures, SM has increased frequency on disinfecting the mall’s comfort rooms and commonly contacted surfaces like door handles, elevator buttons and escalator hand rails.

SM City Baguio mall manager Amy L. Gonzales said SM aims to provide customers with sufficient and accessible infection control supplies, such as hand hygiene products, alcohol dispensers in addition to liquified antibacterial soap.
She said SM also replaces infuses fresh air daily in air conditioned areas by cleaning and changing aircon filters. -- By Dexter A See, Armand Tamaray, Aileen P. Refuerzo and Karren Nobres-Padilla