Schools reminded to heed guidelines in responding to possible H1N1cases

CEBU, Philippines – As classes in high school and college finally resume next week, the Department of Health is reminding schools to be extra careful and following the guidelines set by DOH in preventing the spread of the H1N1 virus.

DOH Regional Director Susana Madarieta said schools were already given interim guidelines on responding to someone who shows signs of the virus but emphasized the guidelines “could change from time to time since this is a novel virus.”

She said schools are ready for the opening of classes and have prepared a room where a student that manifests the symptoms can be quarantined while awaiting medical assistance. Likewise, infection control team have been organized to help monitor cases.

Madarieta said if one student manifests H1N1 symptoms, classes at the school where the student is enrolled would be suspended to prevent contamination.

Aside from the schools, health authorities in the different provinces are also gearing up to respond to possible H1N1 cases.

Madarieta reiterated that an earlier report of a student in Cebu having died of H1N1 is false. She said the confirmed cases are but “mild” ones.

This was confirmed by DOH Secretary Francisco Duque who stressed that the patients did not even need to be given medication for the virus since they have recovered on their own.

Madarieta reminded the public not to be haste in spreading information, especially if the same has not been confirmed.

“If not, do not believe it and do not pass it around,” she said.

She also asked those who are starting the bogus messages to stop so as not to cause panic among the public.

She said the hotlines of DOH are always open for the public to clarify any report regarding the H1N1 virus. — AJ A. de la Torre/JMO (THE FREEMAN)