Hua Siong College of Iloilo (HSCI) dispelled rumors spreading in social media that some of their students and personnel contracted novel coronavirus (2019-nCov) after traveling outside the country.
Dr. Roland Jay Fortuna of Iloilo City Health Office (CHO) confirmed that 25 students and two school personnel of HSCI traveled to China to celebrate Chinese New Year. They were advised not to go back to school yet and undergo self-quarantine for 15 days as preventive measure.
Dr. Jose B. Barcelona, Assistant Principal of HSCI, issued a statement addressed to parents dated January 28 saying that Hua Siong school located along Iznart Street, City Proper is still ‘Corona-free’.
“No fear. Huasiong is Corona-free and vigilantly monitoring its teachers and learners,” said Barcelona.
Because of the coronavirus scare, the school is implementing the following measures effective immediately:
1. All school personnel, learners and even parents who traveled to countries and areas with confirmed cases of Novel Corona Virus who show symptoms of fever, sore throat, cough and runny nose should voluntarily quarantine themselves for fifteen days before going back to school. He/she should present a medical clearance from a physician and shall be subjected to further check-up by our school medical personnel prior to his/her return.
2. Anyone who has not traveled, but shows the aforementioned symptoms should also refrain from coming to school until medically cleared by a doctor.
3. Starting Monday (February 3, 2020), anyone who will be found to have a temperature of 37.5 and above through our Infrared-Thermometer will be asked to go home and seek medical advice.
Barcelona added that HSCI has also declared January 30 and 31 as rest days “sanitize the school, install Infrared Thermometers and employ other mitigating measures that would promote a safer and healthier environment for your children.”
Department of Health (DOH) reiterated that, to date, there are no confirmed cases of 2019-nCoV in the Philippines.
DOH also advised the public to be responsible, and refrain from sharing unverified information on the 2019-nCoV Health Event.
