BAGUIO CITY – This city is starting to experience what a health official said was a “low-level community transmission” of the A(H1N1) virus two days after two universities suspended classes to prevent the spread of the virus.

On Friday, the DoH listed 47 confirmed cases of the flu virus from all over Cordillera, up from the 14 it had tallied on Monday.

Most of the patients were from the city.

In Digos City, officials of the Don Mariano Marcos Elementary School ordered classes suspended until July 24 after a Grade 3 pupil tested positive for the flu virus.

The eight-year-old boy’s 32-year-old aunt also tested positive, according to Dr. Ronald Jumilla, city health officer.

Dr. Myrna Cabotaje, DoH Cordillera director, said the raising of the alert level in Baguio City meant government doctors should seek out high-risk residents (those with low resistance to diseases) for monitoring and treatment.

“Those who are sick will not be given medicine unless they have medical condition [like] heart problems, liver and kidney troubles or tuberculosis. Not all patients will be given Tamiflu,” she said. Tamiflu is the prescribed medicine against A(H1N1).

On Thursday, the DoH confirmed that the disease had infected four police trainees at Teachers’ Camp here.

Dr. Jumilla of Digos City said the infected boy had not traveled recently but a family friend from Japan had visited their home.

He said the visitor also tested positive for the virus. With Eldie Aguirre and Judy Quiros, Inquirer Mindanao