Health Advisory 3 on the 2019-nCov

HEALTH ADVISORY: CORONAVIRUS Update (13 February 2020)

On 30 January 2020, the Philippines confirmed its first case of novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV). This was followed by the first reported death from the infection outside China in 1 February 2020. Both patients were from Wuhan, China. Based on the report of the Department of Health as of   7 February 2020, there has been a third confirmed case in the Philippines.  This advisory is to update the community on the measures the school has taken to safeguard the health of our students, faculty, and staff.

Last January 27 and February 3, the school sent advisories and imposed a 2-week quarantine on students who have travelled to China, Hong Kong, or Macau.  The government has now added Taiwan and the school is including it as part of the list of places that requires the 2-week quarantine.  Please be reminded that this policy will be in effect for the remainder of the school year.  Upon the completion of their self-quarantine, they are asked to present a medical clearance from their physician prior to returning to school.

The infirmary has instituted a 2-step protocol for students and staff with fever and/or respiratory symptoms. All students and staff with the above symptoms will undergo further screening with the infirmary physician/nurse on duty to assess travel history and possible exposure to patients with 2019-nCoV infections. Our clinic will be using the Decision Tool for Novel Coronavirus Assessment for Bureau of Quarantine and Hospitals (Version as of January 30, 2020) that the Department of Health has released. Our administrators have also attended a briefing given by one of the hospitals in our area to further strengthen our knowledge and preparedness on how to protect our community from the risks of the 2019-nCoV.

The school has also installed hand sanitizers in strategic locations in the campus to promote hand sanitizing to avoid the spread of the virus. Hand sanitizers are now located in the entrance gates, canteen, library, and other common areas. Furthermore, we are happy to announce that all our classrooms are now equipped with air purifiers.

The use of a face mask is optional for those who are not sick, but given our context in Nuvali after the eruption of Taal Volcano, the guidelines released earlier remain in effect. Parents can send in their children with face masks but we would like to remind the community that proper hand washing and other hygienic practices are more important to prevent the spread of disease. You may refer to the advisory released last week regarding these practices. Currently, the World Health Organization (WHO) has advised that a medical mask is not required as there is no evidence on its usefulness to protect a person who is not sick.

For any concerns, please send an email to infirmary@xsn.edu.ph.  Let us work together to keep our community healthy!

(SGD.)
Kathrin Ann Fatima Pesigan, MD

School Physician

Noted by:
(SGD.) Fr. Aristotle C. Dy, SJ, Ph.D.
School President

REFERENCES:

https://www.rappler.com/nation/186633-philippines-confirms-case-novel-coronavirus

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/02/world/asia/philippines-coronavirus-china.html

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1222995/coronavirus-what-we-know-about-first-death-outside-china

https://www.doh.gov.ph/2019-nCov

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/31/20/stop-hoarding-face-masks-leave-supply-for-health-workers-doh

https://www.livescience.com/face-mask-new-coronavirus.html

https://www.who.int/publications-detail/advice-on-the-use-of-masks-the-community-during-home-care-and-in-health-care-settings-in-the-context-of-the-novel-coronavirus-(2019-ncov)-outbreak

https://www.doh.gov.ph/sites/default/files/basic-page/2019-nCoV-Advisory-No3.pdf

XSSJ HEALTH ADVISORY: CORONAVIRUS Update (3 February 2020)

https://www.rappler.com/nation/251456-doh-says-taiwan-covered-by-travel-ban-due-novel-coronavirus