THE president of the University of Negros Occidental–Recoletos (UNO-R) announced that classes that were suspended in all levels due to influenza A (H1N1) will resume on July 9.

Fr. Dionisio Cachero, OAR, said after a meeting with the university administrators that there was a high incidence of an influenza–like illness (ILI) among students in Bacolod City. An alarming number of students were sent to the university clinic last July 3.

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Although there were no confirmed cases of influenza A (H1N1), Cachero, through the recommendation of the University physician and other sectors, took the initiative of suspending classes so that the campus could be sanitized and decontaminated properly.

Health security and hygiene will now be on top of the priority list of the university when students come back on the ninth. Those who will be detected with ILI at the entrance gate will be advised to go home or not to enter the campus anymore.

Parents will immediately be notified so that they could fetch their children. Temperature checking will also be done upon entry and alcohol stations will be set up, said Carlos Legaspi Jr., director of UNO-R’s Student Affairs.

He said the College of Nursing Faculty and students, in cooperation with the University clinic, will be tapped to manage the hygiene and health security of the students. “Furthermore, we are advising all the parents of UNO-R students not to send their children to school once they suspect of an ILI.”

Meanwhile, Legaspi said that Rev. Fr. Joseph Dexter Palagtiosa, OAR, UNO-R vice president for Student Welfare, created a task force to monitor developments.

Liezl Uy, registered nurse of the College of Nursing, was appointed chairperson with Antonio Valente, RMT, as co-chair. University physician Dr. Sebastian Tabuga and College of Nursing dean Dr. Elvi Lucila Bajador were appointed as consultants.

Other members of the task force are Sunya Phi Sumalde, Rosaline Gustilo, Josie Silveo, RN; Hazel Buencochillo, RN; Shea Kaye Palenge, Rommel Depasucat, Jonathan Quinosa and Legaspi.

Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia said he met school officials and discussed with them the recent disease condition.

“The public, especially the parents and students, should not panic as measures have already been in place. The people are advised to report immediately or confine themselves in the hospital should signs and symptoms of flu arise,” he said. (GMD)