UNDERSTANDING COVID-19
Overview of COVID-19
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an acute respiratory disease caused by a new strain of coronavirus. ‘CO’ stands for corona, ‘VI’ for virus, and ‘D’ for disease. Formerly, this disease was referred to as ‘2019 novel coronavirus’ or ‘2019-nCoV.’ The COVID-19 virus is a new virus linked to the same family of viruses as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and some types of common cold. This virus is transmitted in most instances through respiratory droplets, direct contact with cases and also through contaminated surfaces/objects. Though the virus survives on environmental surfaces for varied period of time, it gets easily inactivated by chemical disinfectants.
Most people infected with the COVID-19 virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment. Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer are more likely to develop serious illness.
The best way to prevent and slow down transmission is be well informed about the COVID-19 virus, the disease it causes and how it spreads. Protect ourselves and others from infection by washing our hands or using an alcohol-based rub frequently and not touching our face.
The COVID-19 virus spreads primarily through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose when an infected person coughs or sneezes, so it’s important that we also practice respiratory etiquette (for example, by coughing into a flexed elbow).
Symptoms of COVID 19
COVID-19 affects different people in different ways. Most infected people will develop mild to moderate illness and recover without hospitalization. The most common symptoms include:
· fever
· dry cough
· tiredness
Less common symptoms include:
· aches and pains
· sore throat
· diarrhea
· conjunctivitis
· headache
· loss of taste or smell
· a rash on skin, or discoloration of fingers or toes
Serious symptoms include:
· difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
· chest pain or pressure
· loss of speech or movement
It is important to seek immediate medical attention if a person has serious symptoms. It is a Standard Operating Procedure to always call before visiting a doctor or health facility. However, World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that people with mild symptoms who are otherwise healthy should manage their symptoms at home. Accordingly, when someone is infected with the virus, on the average it takes 5–6 days for symptoms to show, however it can take up to 14 days.
At this time, there are no specific vaccines or treatments for COVID-19. However, there are many ongoing clinical trials evaluating potential treatments.
MIS’ NEW NORMAL FOR ACADEMIC YEAR 2020-2021
MIS is bracing for the “new normal” in education due to the COVID-19 situation. MIS has to adjust to the changes in the education environment to ensure learning will not be further disrupted amid the threat of COVID-19 situation in the country under the conditions and health protocols set by the Ministry of Education, Youth & Sports (MEYS), Ministry of Health (MoH) and the WHO.
The following are our major responses for education to continue amidst the crisis for the Academic Year 2020-2021 while ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of our learners, teachers, and personnel in the time of COVID-19:
1. Adjusted School Calendar from June 1, 2020 to March 27, 2021 to June 29, 2020 to
April 24, 2021
2. Reduced number of students for the face to face learning by dividing classes into 2 to
ensure compliance to physical distancing:
a. Morning classes for Kindergarten 2 and Elementary
b. Afternoon classes for Kindergarten 1 and Secondary
b. Afternoon classes for Kindergarten 1 and Secondary
3. Whenever necessary, reduced number of learning hours for Elementary and Secondary
to address the issue on the risk of using face mask at a longer period of time
4. Classes will be held from Mondays to Saturdays
5. Strict implementation of health protocols from the MEYS, MoH and WHO:
a. Impose “No Face Mask, No Entry” Policy
b. Mandatory Temperature Checks prior to entry at the school premises
c. Ensure strict compliance to physical distancing
d. Regular hand washing
b. Mandatory Temperature Checks prior to entry at the school premises
c. Ensure strict compliance to physical distancing
d. Regular hand washing
e. Practice other health protocols on preventions and controls provided in this
guideline
f. Conduct blended teaching-learning whenever needed especially as the COVID-19
situation in the country becomes worst
STANDARD PRECAUTIONS OF INFECTION PREVENTION AND CONTROL
(10 GOLDEN RULES AGAINST COVID-19)
In order to help prevent and reduce the spread of COVID-19 pandemic and as part of the "NEW NORMAL" for MIS in Academic Year 2020-2021, the following best practices on the prevention and control measures shall be observed and implemented:
1. Prevent direct contact with persons who are sick- encourage educators, learners and staff to stay at home when feeling sick.
2. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE)- use protective face masks at all times and face shields whenever available and necessary.
3. Mandatory conduct of temperature checks before entry to the school premises- Only those cleared during screening shall be allowed to enter the school perimeter. Those with fever and flu-like symptoms will not be allowed to enter the establishment and will be sent home and referred to parents for proper or appropriate attention by medical experts;
4. Physical distancing- Keep a distance of at least 1 meter between persons where possible, avoiding gatherings and contact activities outside of the classroom such as extra-curricular activities, contact sport, assemblies, hall gatherings and queuing at the school canteen. Classrooms must be set up in a way that would allow observance of physical distancing. Implement a smaller class size whenever necessary. Floor plans of MIS should indicate physical flow or movement in accordance with the physical distancing protocol.
5. Environmental cleaning and disinfection- reduce the risk of microorganisms in the environment by cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces such as door handles, desks, tables, windows, etc. hourly or less frequently depending on the circumstances. An effective disinfectant is diluted bleach disinfectant (20 ml bleach per liter of clean water). Cleaners must ensure that classrooms are cleaned and properly disinfected after the conduct of physical learning.
6. Hand hygiene- Wash hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds, especially after using the toilet, touching food and if hands are visibly soiled/dirty. Use of alcohol-based hand sanitizer regularly is encouraged, especially after contact with any person or after contact with frequently touched surfaces such as phones, door handles etc.
7. Avoid touching eyes, mouth, or nose with unwashed/un-sanitized hands. Hand hygiene must be practiced.
8. Limit airborne transmission- Limit visitors and the number of people that enter the school, office or classroom. Parents should enter the school only if absolutely necessary. There shall be no showing of guests around the classrooms for incoming new student enrollees.
9. Practice cough and sneeze etiquette- cough in the fold of the bent elbow and sneeze in a tissue which should be discarded safely in a refuse bin with a lid. Wash hands immediately thereafter.
10. Practice a no hand contact greeting- While the handshake is the common way of paying courtesy, the guidelines encourage the practice of contactless forms of the “mabuhay gesture” to welcome and receive guests. To avoid physical contact, other forms of greeting such as nodding, waving hands, bumping elbows, tapping feet or gesturing the Namaste hand prayer are introduced as new alternatives.
