AT least 3,939 minors between 12 and 17 years old contracted Covid-19 from September 1 to November 3, the Department of Health (DOH) reported on Friday.
During the DOH’s media forum, Officer-in-Charge Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire initially revealed that the Covid-infected teenagers are students, but later clarified that the number mentioned “was not specific to students.”
“There was no recorded case of severe infection or death involving students,” Vergeire said, partly in Filipino.
The DOH also said they are still waiting for official field reports on the number of recorded infections in schools.
Earlier, Vergeire said the rise in Covid-19 cases in schools is expected with the opening of face-to-face classes starting August.
“Mayroong transmission na nangyayari, pero nakikita agad because of safety officers [There were reported transmissions happening but these were all easily detected by the safety officers],” Vergeire had said in previous DOH news briefings.
She said safety officers are designated to conduct health screenings and implement Covid-19 protocols.