Classes suspended in Isabela towns due to COVID-19 scare

CITY OF ILAGAN, Isabela — Mayor Josemarie Diaz has ordered the suspension of classes at all levels from March 16 to 28 due to risks posed by COVID-19.

This latest order amended an earlier directive that postponed classes only for elementary and high schools.

Diaz said the school buildings and classrooms used as billeting quarters during the March 9-13 National Festival of Talents will be cleaned and disinfected as the city undertakes measures against the spread of COVID-19.

State colleges and universities in Isabela have also suspended classes.

Dr. Ricmar Aquino, Isabela State University president, said he postponed classes in their main campus at Echague town, as well as its campuses in this city and the Isabela towns of San Mariano, Jones, San Mateo, Roxas, Cabagan, and Palanan.

Classes in all levels in private schools such as the St. Ferdinand College in Ilagan and in Cabagan were suspended from March 16 to 20.

Cauayan City classes were ordered suspended from March 16 to 28.

COVID-19 is a respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus or SARS-CoV-2, which outbreak started in China’s Wuhan City in Hube province in late 2019.

People who have COVID-19 could recover since for most people, its symptoms were mild like fever and cough. But the illness could also be worse or serious for others such as pneumonia, especially for older adults and those with existing health problems.

The World Health Organization has declared COVID-19 a pandemic as it has infected more than 150,000 people and killed over 5,000 all over the world. The Philippines has so far confirmed 111 people with COVID-19, including eight deaths.

President Rodrigo Duterte has declared a state of public health emergency throughout the country and placed the entire Metro Manila under “community quarantine” from March 15 to April 14, 2020, due to COVID-19.