DepEd office in Albay on lockdown after employee contracts COVID-19

LEGAZPI CITY –– The Department of Education (DepEd) Albay District office in this city was placed on lockdown from Monday to Friday, March 15 to 19 after a male employee tested positive for coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Froilan Tena, DepEd Albay spokesperson, said the office at Ligñon Hill in Barangay Bogtong would be closed for the entire work-week as part of its measures to prevent the spread of the viral disease. Disinfection will be done during the lockdown.

Norma Samantela, Albay Schools Division Superintendent, directed all employees to observe health protocols.

Samantela also advised those who were in the office from March 3 onwards to stay home and observe and report possible symptoms to the Health and Nutrition Unit.

Tena, in a phone interview Monday, said 203 employees would undergo swab testing. The employees were told to stay in isolation at their respective residences while waiting for their test results.

He said office transactions shall be done online while all employees are on work-from-home mode.

DepEd Albay is the sixth government office to be placed on lockdown in this city. Last year and early this year, the DepEd Bicol office, the Government Service Insurance, Pag-IBIG Fund, and the Legazpi City Hospital were all placed on temporary lockdown after employees and visitors tested positive for COVID-19.

LZB