Kalibo mayor suspends classes near quarantine area

By Emme Rose Santiagudo

The municipality of Kalibo, Aklan suspended classes in schools near the area where 11 Chinese nationals are being quarantined amid the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak.

Municipal Mayor Emerson Lachica ordered the suspension in Executive Order (EO) No. 004 issued on Wednesday.

“I do hereby order for the suspension of classes for an indefinite period of time until the incubation period has been completed and the Chinese citizens have been repatriated and proper decontamination procedures have been completed,” he said.

Recently, the Aklan Provincial Health Office (PHO) confirmed that 11 Chinese nationals in the province are being monitored for the 2019 n-Cov.

The Chinese nationals were first admitted to Dr. Rafael Tumbokon Memorial Hospital but were transferred to Governor Corazon Legaspi-Cabagnot Memorial Training Center, which serves as the quarantine holding area, in Old Buswang, Kalibo, Aklan on Jan. 25.

The schools near the training center include the Regional Science High School for Region 6, Saint Gabrielle College, Buswang Old-Bachao Sur Elementary School (BOBSES) and the Stranglow Center for Academic and Arts.

The suspension of classes is part of the precautionary measure to prevent the possible transmission of the virus to students and residents of Kalibo, the mayor added.

Dr. Cornelio V. Cuachon Jr., chief of Aklan PHO, said that four of the 11 Chinese nationals had contact with a patient who tested positive for the virus in Hong Kong.

“All of them are not exhibiting any signs and symptoms of fever and cough. We are currently monitoring them. They are set to leave the country on February 3,” he said.

The incubation period of the Chinese nationals will end on February 3.