10 teachers tested positive for COVID-19 in Ilagan City

On Thursday, 10 teachers from a secondary school in Ilagan City, Isabela tested positive for coronavirus disease (COVID-19), according to the Department of Education (DepEd) as it sought to clarify earlier reports.

Photo credit: bomboradyo.com

In a statement, Estela Cariño, director of DepEd in Cagayan Valley, made the clarification following earlier reports that there were 11 teachers infected.

Contrary to the report that 11 teachers in the city tested positive (for) COVID-19, 10 teachers in a secondary school in the city underwent a swab test and all tested positive,

said Estela Cariño, director of the DepEd in Cagayan Valley.

All of the teachers are asymptomatic and currently confined in quarantine facilities, said Cariño.

The Schools Division Office of the City of Ilagan further clarifies that such unfortunate event has nothing to do whatsoever with the destruction of self-learning modules or any materials to that effect,

she added.

The DepEd official explained that the localized Basic Education Learning Continuity Plan of the division office clearly states that the modules should be deposited by the schools at drop-off points at barangay halls.

The SLMs shall be deposited by the schools at the drop-off points at the barangay halls. The barangay officials, tasked as knowledge bearers, did the distribution,

she said.

Information from DepEd Region II showed that nine teachers contracted the virus from one of the teachers who first tested negative in a rapid test but later tested positive for COVID-19 in a swab test.

It added that all the teachers belong to the same school.

Due to a surge in COVID-19 cases, Ilagan City was placed under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) until October 16 to stem the spread of the virus.

The DepEd earlier said teachers who get COVID-19 could avail of Philippine Health Insurance Corporation benefit packages for hospitalization and treatment expenses.

Also on Thursday, the DepEd said it received reports of "false information and malicious, staged photos on the conduct of School Year 2020-2021" circulating on social media.

DepEd is keen to investigate these activities and exhaust legal remedies to ensure that only accurate information reach our stakeholders,

the agency said, refusing to provide further details while investigations are ongoing.

DepEd advised the public to verify information or photos with the agency "for the best interest of everyone who is still adjusting to the transition to distance learning."