CDO schools shift online to stop spread of flu-like infection

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental, Philippines — Four schools in this regional capital of Northern Mindanao have shifted to online classes this week to prevent the spread of a flu-like infection among faculty, staff, and students.

The largest among these is the Jesuit-run Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan, which has over 10,000 students. Its basic education department, covering grade school, junior high school, and senior high school, called off in-person classes starting on Wednesday until Oct. 3.

“A notable rise in the number of individuals reporting flu-like symptoms, including fever, cough, and body aches, has been observed. While these symptoms may not necessarily indicate a severe health concern, we must act with an abundance of caution and responsibility to mitigate any potential risks associated with the spread of illness within our school,” read a memo from Dulce Dawang, vice president of basic education of the university.

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The shift to online classes will also enable the school management to conduct thorough cleaning and sanitization of its facilities, she said.

Higher education classes also shifted online, although only from Thursday to Saturday.

Juliet Dalagan, vice president for higher education of the university, said the measure aims “to mitigate the effect of the rise in the number of flu-like symptoms among members of the community.”

Liceo de Cagayan University’s basic education department has also called off face-to-face classes starting on Wednesday, and will resume “until further notice,” said Alain Marc Golez, the school president.

From Wednesday to Friday, the basic education department of Lourdes College is closing its campus for disinfection “due to the number of students and personnel who are having fever and cough,” said Evelyn Mosqueda, the school principal.

Noting the increased incidence of flu-like ailments and taking cues from other schools, Mark Alfonso del Fierro, director for operations at Corpus Christi School, said they were taking “precautionary measures to protect our students and teachers from the infection,” hence the shift online of all classes from preschool to high school, from Wednesday to Friday.

Dr. Ellenietta Gamolo, officer in charge of the Department of Health in the region, confirmed there were reported cases of influenza-like illness in schools, attributing this to the rainy and erratic weather.

“We are appealing to schools to report to us cases of headaches and other flu-like symptoms. As of now, we are encouraging people to wear masks,” said Dr. Rachel Dilla, city health office chief.