The dormitory resident and her roommates at Silliman University are now cleared by the Department of Health/ Integrated Provincial Health Office of Negros Oriental after being examined and placed in isolation within the campus premises, even as the student never manifested symptoms of the 2019 nCoV.
The University had received information on Feb. 3 that one dorm resident was on the same flight with the two confirmed cases of the 2019-nCoV on Jan. 21. One of the two confirmed cases died on Feb. 1.
University staff immediately took the dorm resident and her roommates to the hospital for medical assessment, consistent with DOH protocol.
As this developed, Dr. Walden Ursos, University Physician, was designated liaison/coordinator to the nCoV task force organized by the Provincial government.
Among the actions to be implemented by the University is a screening and monitoring system at the following entrance gates nearest the following buildings: Cafeteria, Villareal Hall, Katipunan Hall/CBA, Laguna gate, SUCCI, Elementary School, and High School.
Dr. Ursos urged everyone in campus to continue to be cautious, and be updated on the latest bulletins issued by the DOH.
Faculty members who did not wish to be named said that classrooms at the High School and in Ausejo Hall have been disinfected.
As part of the University’s precautionary measures, he reiterated that all employees and campus residents are required to wear their University IDs to be allowed entry into the campus, based on a memorandum dated Jan. 24.
“All campus tours will not be allowed until further notice. Only individuals with official business or appointments in University offices will be allowed entry, provided they have not travelled to any of the places confirmed to have been affected by the Wuhan coronavirus. Those who have been to such places in the last 30 days will not be allowed entry,” the memo said.
“Visitors who have not been to any of the places confirmed to have been affected by the coronavirus must first be referred to the SU Public Assistance & Security Office for documentation,” the memo also said. All offices and campus residents expecting guests into the campus have to submit the visitors’ to the PASO, including their purpose of visit, their places of origin and travel in the last 30 days. (With reports from SU/OIP)