Coronavirus jitters: DepEd Secretary Briones, other execs on self-quarantine

Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Leonor Briones attends a senate hearing on Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) on Feb 13, 2020. INQUIRER.NET PHOTO/CATHY MIRANDA

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) on Thursday announced that several of its officials and personnel, including Secretary Leonor Briones, will undergo self-quarantine after a participant in two of its meetings tested positive for the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

In a statement, DepEd said the patient attended a meeting held on February 28 in its central office in Pasig City and a hearing on March 5 at the Senate.

None of the DepEd officials and personnel have so far experienced signs and sympto0ms of the illness.

“Consistent with Department of Health (DOH) protocols, they have undertaken the necessary precautions, including home quarantine starting today,” DepEd said.

While Briones did not interact with the COVID-19 patient, DepEd said she is likewise on home quarantine as “extra precautionary measure.”

Senators Sherwin Gatchalian and Nancy Binay earlier placed themselves on self-quarantine after a resource person in the March 5 Senate committee hearing tested positive for COVID-19.

DepEd said its officials and personnel will continue to work through telecommunication. It also assured that it is coordinating with the DOH for guidance.

Philippines has so far 49 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.

On Wednesday night, the first Filipino fatality due to the virus was recorded by the DOH.

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.

GSG