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By Rhaydz B. Barcia, Reporter
LEGAZPI CITY: Following the
increasing cases of A(H1N1) in Bicol specifically in Albay
province, two private schools and a public school in Tabaco City
suspended its regular classes
to prevent the escalation of the dreaded virus here. The two private
schools that closed down their regular classes are the Saint Agnes
Academy, ran by Benedictine Sisters and Aquinas University of
Legazpi.
The management of Saint Agnes
Academy suspended their classes on Wednesday and set to resume on
August 3 after six of their students were found positive of A(H1N1)
virus.
While the Aquinas University of
Legazpi, a branch of University of Santo Tomas in Bicol, decided to
suspend their classes on Friday after the management of the
Dominican Institution uncovered that the students from Saint Agnes
Academy infected with A(H1N1) have siblings studying either from AUL
Science High School, colleges as well as of College of Law
department.
Engr. Vergilio Perdigon, Aquinas
University secretary-general told reporters here that the school
management opted to suspend classes for precautionary measures but
will resume the regular operation on Monday.
Health authorities here are
closely checking the rising incidence of A(H1N1) influenza after two
more senior high- school students were confirmed positive to A(H1N1)
virus infection in Tabaco City, bringing to nine total cases in
Albay or 28 cases all-in-all in Bicol.
Dr. Luis Mendoza, Albay
provincial health officer said that the two patients were fourth
year male students of Tabaco National High School, a state-owned
public school in Tabaco City with over 7,000 student enrolees.
He said that an advisory was
issued to the public to voluntarily quarantine or isolate themselves
for at least seven days, if they manifest flu-like symptoms, or
immediately contact Health authorities for appropriate medication.
Nestor Santiago, regional
director of the Department of Health (DOH) in Bicol reported that
other provinces with A(H1N1) cases were Camarines Sur with 18 and
Sorsogon with one case but had already all recovered.
According to Mendoza, Albay had
only one case of confirmed A(H1N1) victim early last week and this
involved an 8-year-old Australian national. The boy stayed at
Washington Drive in Legazpi City, however, he was already cleared
from the virus when he left for Australia on Saturday.
Gov. Joey Salceda of Albay on
Thursday directed Health officials to coordinate with school
authorities on the monitoring of students suffering from flu. He
said local and foreign tourists have made Legazpi City their
destination of choice since Mount Mayon started with its abnormal
activities, which is why everybody ought to be alerted about the
spread of the swine flu virus.
--With Manny T. Ugalde
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