Memo from the school president regarding the 2019-nCov

3 February 2020


Dear Parents of XSN Kinder to Grade 12 Students,


We pray that all is well with you and your families as we enter the month of February.  January has been challenging to our community due to the effects of the eruption of Taal Volcano and threat of the spread of the 2019-nCoV virus. 

Xavier School Health Services released a Health Advisory regarding the coronavirus last January 27.  As explained in the circular, the best way to keep one safe is to observe proper nutrition and rest, and to prevent exposure to the virus. When the circular was released, there were still no confirmed 2019-nCoV cases in the Philippines.  However, as of today, there are 2 confirmed cases in the country according to the Department of Health. Both are Chinese nationals who traveled to the Philippines from Wuhan, and one of them has passed away.

We would like to reiterate our SOP regarding keeping sick children at home to give them time to recover fully from their ailments and so as not to spread any viruses in school.  We would also like to inform you that we have taken additional precautionary measures with families and teachers who have travelled out of the country in the last two weeks.  Details of this were communicated directly with the concerned parties.

To ensure the health and safety of the school community, we shall be imposing 2-week quarantine on students who have traveled to China, Hong Kong, or Macau, in the last two weeks. Upon their return to school, we require a medical certificate stating that the student does not have any symptoms of the 2019-nCoV virus.   Family members who belong to the same household are also recommended to observe the same quarantine.  This policy will be in effect for the remainder of the school year.

We are providing hand sanitizers in various locations of the school and are installing air purifiers in every classroom.  As of today, we have installed up to the Grade 6 level and will continue to deploy the units until we finish up to the Grade 12 level.  We will continue the regular practice of sanitizing each classroom at the end of the day.

For more detailed information about the epidemiology of the virus and the latest updates, please visit the following sites: www.who.int (World Health Organization), www.cdc.gov (The Centers for Disease Control) and www.doh.ph/2019-nCoV (Department of Health). Please get your updates from credible sources and be careful not to spread false or unverified information. 

It is our fervent prayer that the Xavier Community will work together to keep the school a safe environment for all.

Thank you.  

Sincerely yours,

 

(sgd.)
Fr. Aristotle Dy, SJ, Ph.D
School President