Assumption stude tests positive for A(H1N1)
As school awaits word on result of another feared victim
A 14 year-old high school student of Assumption Iloilo tested positive of Influenza A(H1N1) as school officials here were told of another suspected case awaiting results of swab tests made.
The latest addition to the growing statistics in Western Visayas, the confirmation was made yesterday in a hastily called press conference by Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas and Dr. Glen Alonsabe of the Department of Health (DOH). Department of Education (DepEd) officials were also present alongside school officials of Assumption Iloilo.
The disclosure was brief and direct – Iloilo City has another A(H1N1) confirmed case with the victim a native of Capiz. Currently confined in a hospital in Roxas City, the teener, according to Dr. Alonsabe was brought in for treatment over the weekend.
No immediate details were readily available though on the latest medical condition of the 14 year-old. Similar situation with Assumpton Iloilo officials who only knew of the A(H1N1) condition of the student yesterday morning, hours after DOH here got the positive results from Manila.
In an interview, Sister Mary Fidelis Estrada told The News Today (TNT) that full compliance and cooperation was made by Assumption Iloilo on the city's directive as well as the DOH and DepEd established protocols.
“I was called and told to go to the office of the Mayor with the DOH and DepEd officials there. We were told that one of our students was found positive and we were then given the procedures and protocol. The DOH said it is up to us when to send the students home and part of the steps taken was to inform the students themselves and the parents,” Sister Estrada said while admitting that prior to yesterday's meeting with the mayor, Assumption Iloilo had no knowledge about any students considered as suspects of A(H1N1) affliction. “I was also told by the DOH that there is another student who is also being monitored... the student has been absent and also sick.”
TNT learned further that the 14 year-old is the same student who was believed to have Dengue. Assumption Iloilo since the start of June school opening recorded two cases of said mosquito-borne disease.
“First of all, we do not know where she got it (referring to A (H1N1)... but we did what the DOH asked us to do...,” Sister Estrada explained while clarifying the reasons that brought the conceived delay in releasing the students. “I needed the time to come up with the circular to be sent out to the students and the parents regarding the DOH findings and the decision to suspend the classes thereafter. We also had to give time to our teachers to prepare the school assignments for the students to accomplish.”
Sister Estrada is the chairperson of Assumption Iloilo's Basic Education Department.
In Roxas City, City Health Officials confirmed the same news in a press conference called just about the same time Mayor Treñas made the disclosure. Roxas City contact tracing gathered information that the 14 year-old who stays at the Assumption Iloilo dormitory had a fellow dormmate who recently toured Hongkong. It is one of the many leads being validated by health officials in both cities as probable source of the virus.