Student Tests Positive For COVID-19 After Attending Face-To-Face School Orientation

A private school in Cauayan, Isabela is under investigation after one of its students tested positive for COVID-19 following a resumption of face-to-face classes in the educational institution.

According to news outlets, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has issued a show cause order against Isabela Colleges, Inc. after the higher educational institution admitted that they had resumed Saturday classes since August. The classes were allegedly orientation sessions for the students, reported The Manila Times.

What other parents are reading

DepEd Says 311 Teachers And 268 Students Infected With COVID-19

One Laptop, 3 Siblings, 3 Online Classes: Grade 12 Student Shares His Experience

The student who tested positive for the virus had attended an orientation for students enrolled in a second degree last August 29, 2020. The student is an employee of the local government unit of the city of Cauayan and taking professional education courses in Isabela Colleges, according to CHED.

In a report by Manila Bulletin, the student was said to have had close contact with a COVID-positive city hall employee.

CHED is already tracing up to 45 individuals that the student interacted with following the incident.

What other parents are reading

Buntis Pumanaw Dahil Sa COVID-19 Matapos Ang Surprise Baby Shower

7 Katao Ang Nasawi Sa COVID-19 Dahil Sa Kasalan Na Hindi Nila Dinaluhan

Are face-to-face classes allowed in MGCQ areas?

 The Cauayan City government, through lawyer Reina Santos, said in a statement that face-to-face classes in the city was allowed after the province of Isabela was placed under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ). It added that this complies with the guidelines released by the Inter-agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases on COVID-19.

But according to CHED Chairman Prospero de Vera III, “The CHED Advisories have consistently advised HEIs to refrain from conducting face-to-face or in-person classes or mass gatherings in their campuses,” reports Rappler.

"The CHED has not issued any policy to allow face-to-face classes and the IATF clearly states that limited face-to-face classes in low-risk MGCQ areas must comply with CHED guidelines," De Vera added.

What other parents are reading

COVID-19 Did Not Spare This Couple, Both Frontliners, And Their 1-Year-Old

Mom Describes How COVID-19 Began For Her Kids: 'Nilagnat At Nosebleed Ang Kambal'

In a statement posted on its Facebook page, Isabela Colleges clarified that the orientation it conducted on August 29 was also the day the instructor distributed learning modules.

The college also said that the student is an employee is an employee of a Rural Health Unit and a frontliner.

“She is already identified as PUI (person under investigation) and scheduled for swab testing and yet she still attended the said orientation and distribution of modules,” the statement read.

Following the show cause order, Isabela Colleges was given 10 days to explain why no sanctions have been imposed on its officials after failing to comply with CHED’s advisories. The school is also now temporarily closed, according to a staff of the Cauayan City government.

What should parents expect when the new school year starts? Read DepEd's latest guidelines here.

What other parents are reading

FDA: Do Not Purchase And Consume 'Unregistered' Liver Spread

DepEd On What To Expect This School Year: Sharing Modules, TV Lectures, No Exams, And More

Toddler Learning Words? Focus On Teaching These Words First Than ABCs Or Counting

Lara Quigaman, Marco Alcaraz Welcome Third Baby!