Updated A(H1N1) virus guidelines from the Office of the Vice President

11 June 2009

MEMO TO:	The Loyola Schools Community
FROM :	Ma. Assunta C. Cuyegkeng
	Vice President
SUBJECT:	Updated Guidelines Regarding Precautions against the Influenza A (H1N1) virus

Due to the confirmed H1N1cases in the Ateneo de Manila High School, university officials met with the Department of Health to find out proper measures for the campus. Some important points raised in the meeting with Dr. Eric Tayag of DOH on 9 June 2009 were the following:

1. We will have stronger guidelines regarding precautionary measures.

2. The Loyola Schools, High School, and Grade School are viewed as separate campuses; thus, we have been cleared to proceed with classes for LS and GS on Monday.

3. The DOH-prescribed suspension is directed only at holding of classes; offices continue their operations.

4. The DOH is shifting its focus from containment to mitigation. Thus, the ten-day class suspension measure to be done only once per school and the focus will be on detection and treatment.

In view of these, I would like to reiterate the following guidelines:

1. Any member of the Loyola Schools community (including students and faculty under exchange programs) who have visited/arrived from foreign travel should undergo voluntary self-quarantine and monitor themselves for possible signs and symptoms of the disease for the next ten (10) days after arrival. Students who fail to observe self-quarantine or who give wrong travel information on AISIS or to any Loyola Schools personnel may be charged with offenses leading to a disciplinary case. Students are likewise held responsible for misrepresentation of relatives regarding the student’s travel information.

2. Students have been asked to give their travel information to AISIS. They will be excused from their classes up to ten calendar days after arrival in the Philippines. Resident students from the University Dormitory, Cervini Hall, and Eliazo Hall should check in only after the self-quarantine period. Upon their return from self-quarantine, students must show proof of arrival to the Office of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. Failure to do will mean penalties for late registration and cuts for absences.

3. Faculty, administrators, and staff are asked to inform their respective departments and offices of their travel arrangements and show proof of arrival to their respective heads.

4. Any member of the LS community who develops flu or flu-like symptoms (cough, sore throat, high fever, vomiting, body malaise) should wear a mask properly and observe proper cough etiquette and precautionary measures recommended by the WHO (see attachment).

5. Any member of the LS community who develops flu or flu-like symptoms and has a history of travel, had contact with persons who travelled, or had contact with persons with confirmed H1N1 virus should stay home, call a doctor, get tested, and immediately report the case to the Office of Health Services (426-6001 loc 5110). Upon return to the Loyola Schools, please present a medical certificate to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs (for students) or to the Office of the Vice President for the Loyola Schools (for LS personnel).

6. It is strongly advised to practice “social distancing” during this period, especially those who have been exposed to travelers or carriers of the virus, i.e., avoiding physical contact, one-meter distance for office transactions.

Please remember that the virus can be transmitted through “exposure to droplets from the cough and sneeze of the infected person”. Thus, the responsibility of preventing virus transmission falls on the persons who may have been exposed to the virus as a result of their visit to countries with confirmed cases of H1N1 or contact with persons who may have been exposed to or infected by the virus. Although these precautionary measures may cause inconvenience, it is important to observe them in the interest of the community’s wellbeing.

Thank you very much for your cooperation.