CHEd reports COVID-19 infection in Visayan school holding in-person classes

CHEd gives update on schools’ situation since lockdown: Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chairman Prospero De Vera III on May 21, 2020, gives senators an update on the challenges and problems faced by college students since a lockdown was declared in Luzon as a means to contain the spread of COVID-19.  (Screen grab/Senate PRIB)

MANILA, Philippines — A COVID-19 outbreak was reported in Eastern Visayas following the implementation of limited face-to-face classes, the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) said Wednesday.

“Doon sa ibang region, meron tayong, ang infection so far na namonitor ng CHEd ay nangyari sa Region 8. Pinagaaralan ng regional office ng CHEd kasama ng mga pamantasan kung ano ang dahilan bakit nagkaroon ng infection,” CHEd chairperson Prospero De Vera III said in a televised briefing. He did not provide details how many individuals contracted COVID-19.

(In other regions, CHEd has so far monitored an infection in Region 8. CHEd’s regional office along with the university are studying why there was an infection.)

“Pero sa ibang region, at doon sa mga naunang malalaking pamantasan, ang infection ay kontrolado,” he added.

(But in other regions and in bigger schools, the infection is controlled.)

Earlier, De Vera said limited face-to-face classes will be stopped if a student contracts COVID-19.

Only medical and health-allied programs have so far been allowed to resume in-person classes.

De Vera said 73 higher education institutions nationwide are conducting limited face-to-face classes.

EDV