Some Guidelines on Precautions against the Influenza A (H1N1) Virus

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Thursday, 16 July 2009

16 July 2009 For Immediate Release MEMO TO: UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY FROM: THE PRESIDENT RE: Some Guidelines on Precautions against the Influenza A (H1N1) Virus In consultation with Dr. Michael T. Manalaysay, Director of University Integrated Health Services, and taking into considerations pronouncements of the Department of Health (DOH), Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Department of Education (DepEd), I wish to give the University community the following information and guidelines on precautions against the Influenza A (H1N1) Virus: 1. Considering the spread of the virus, we will focus on precautionary measures. 2. It is important to keep in mind that Influenza A (H1N1) virus is itself not a serious and life-threatening virus, except perhaps for the very young and aged and those chronically sick. It is not more serious than the ordinary influenza. 3. The government (DOH, CHED, DepEd) rules are directed at the holding of classes: offices continue their operations. 4. To date, because of students confirmed positive with the Influenza A (H1N1) virus, one College section (one student confirmed positive), three High School classes (two classes with one student confirmed positive and the third with one student highly suspected) and one Grade School class (one student confirmed positive) have been instructed to go on voluntary self-quarantine for ten days. The members of the College section were told to go on self-quarantine from noon yesterday, 15 July, and will be allowed to return to school on 21 July. For those irregular students in this first year College section, arrangements have been made with their teachers in their other classes about their forced self-quarantine. The class has been duly informed of the importance of this self-quarantine. Where possible, teachers may try to give home assignments during this period. The High School classes and Grade School class instructed to go on voluntary self-quarantine will return to school on 22 July. Efforts have been made inform their parents / guardians about this self-quarantine. Where possible, teachers may try to give home assignments during this period. We ask that all concerned take the self-quarantine seriously. The teachers of theses classes have been asked to make the necessary adjustments in their schedule of examinations and in the distribution of class matter. The teachers of these sections have been asked to closely monitor themselves and to seek medical help should they show any signs or symptoms of Influenza. 5. To minimize contact University personnel now required to log in / out for work biometrically are asked to make use of their University IDs rather than their fingers for logging in / out. 6. Members of the University community (administrator, faculty, staff, student) who develop flu or flu-like symptoms are asked to seek medical assistance soonest. 7. It is strongly advised to practice “social distancing” during this period, i.e. avoid physical contact, keep some distance for office transactions. We ask all to be conscious of infection control measures such as frequent hand-washing and proper respiratory-related etiquette. Faculty are asked to direct students whom they may notice with flu or flu-like symptoms to the University Health Service. 8. Considering that there is no definite treatment against this new virus, keeping healthy, proper sleep and rest and healthy eating habits are clearly the most effective precautionary measures against this world-wide virus. I thank all for their understanding and cooperation. Hopefully this will pass away soon. And we will survive it . . . . We will overcome! For the information and guidance of all concerned. ANTONIO S. SAMSON S.J. President univmemo 09 / 10 : 08

 

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