The implementation of five days or full face-to-face classes in public schools will continue next month, despite the Department of Health (DOH) confirmation this Tuesday that the COVID-19 Omicron XBB and XBC subvariants have entered the Philippines.
In a press conference this Wednesday, Department of Education (DepEd) Spokesperson Atty. Michael Poa that they have not yet implemented any amendments or changes regarding the full implementation of face-to-face classes starting November 2.
“Sa ngayon, wala pa tayong any advice on any change. In fact, kaka-issue lang natin ng DO 44 nung Monday. Tayo naman po sa [DepEd], of course, we will always take our cue from the advice given by the DOH pagdating sa mga health guidelines or any health concerns,” said Poa.
“Sa ngayon, wala pa tayong pagbabago na maa-anunsyo doon sa amendatory DO na na-issue natin just two days ago,” he said.
On Monday, DepEd issued Department Order (DO) No. 44, allowing private schools to hold five-day face-to-face classes, blended learning modality, or total distance learning starting from the date.
Public schools are required to implement full in-person classes starting next month.
Full F2F classes in public schools continue amid XBB, XBC variants in PH
Poa assured that they continue to communicate with the DOH and other government agencies to monitor the health situation in schools, especially now that the XBB and XBC variants have entered the country.
Poa added that DepEd leaves it up to local government units to provide data on COVID-19 infections in schools to ensure that the number to be published is accurate, following reports that there have been recorded cases of COVID-19 in some schools in the country.
“Ayaw po natin ng conflicting numbers or figures ang binibigay natin and because all cases from schools have to be reported to the LESUs o ‘yung local epidemiology and surveillance units ng ating LGUs,” said Poa.
DOH first confirmed that 81 cases of the Omicron XBB subvariant and 193 instances of XBC variant were recorded in the country.
Of that number, 70 have been recovered, eight are still isolated, while the condition of the others is still being verified.
None of the patients died.
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