DOH: Face-to-face classes still a ‘no’ as COVID-19 infection remains

DOH Secretary Francisco Duque. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) is still not recommending the resumption of face-to-face classes in schools in the country considering that almost all areas in the country have active COVID-19 cases.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III earlier said that holding face-to-face classes can be considered in parts of the country with zero COVID-19 cases.

However, during an online forum on Wednesday, Duque said all areas, except Batanes have reported COVID-19 cases in the last two to four weeks.

“Sa hanay ng ng mga probinsya, at highly urbanized cities and independent component cities. Halos wala nang lugar na zero cases for the last two to four weeks. Lahat yan meron. Except for Batanes,” he said.

(There is almost no area in the country that has reported zero cases for the last two to four weeks. Each one of them have, except for Batanes.)

“So yung ating pong policy sa ngayon ay patuloy na no face-to-face classes,” Duque added.

(Our policy is still no face-to-face classes.)

If, however, the President decides to allow face-to-face classes, the government, particularly the health department and the Department of Education, should draft guidelines.

For example, face-to-face classes may only be held in areas with low to minimal risk of COVID-19 transmission while health care facilities in these areas must be able to deal with new infections, especially patients who might need critical care. Zac Sarao, INQUIRER.net trainee.