BREAKING: Metro Manila class suspension extended until April 12

MANILA, Philippines — The suspension of classes in all levels in Metro Manila have been extended until April 12, 2020 due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) threat.

President Rodrigo Duterte made the announcement in his public address Thursday evening as the Department of Health recorded a spike in coronavirus cases in the country.

Affected students, however, are mandated to “fulfill their educational requirements” during the duration of the class suspension.

Concerned local government units (LGUs), with the supervision of the Department of Interior and Local Government, are also asked to ensure that students remain in their homes during the said duration.

Duterte earlier announced the cancellation of classes in Metro Manila from March 10 to 14 after the country recorded its first case of local transmission of COVID-19.

To date, the Philippines has 52 confirmed cases of COVID-19, a respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus that first emerged in China’s city of Wuhan in Hubei province in late 2019.

The World Health Organization now considers COVID-19 a pandemic.

The virus causes mild symptoms such as fever and cough for most people but can cause serious illness such as pneumonia for others, especially older adults and people with existing health problems.

To prevent infection, health officials are urging people to practice regular hand washing, cover the mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, and avoid close contact with those who show respiratory symptoms.