Navigating Christmas Amid Flu Season
It appears that it’s not only Jose Mari Chan who welcomed the “ber” months this year. The start of the Christmas season in September also brought about an increase in flu and COVID-19 cases within Metro Manila, which also affected students at MGC New Life Christian Academy (MGCNLCA).
Based on the clinic’s records, the school had a total of 918 cases of students experiencing flu-like symptoms such as coughs, colds, fever, and body pain over three months starting in September, with some students getting sick multiple times.
However, despite the spike in Metro Manila cases, school records actually showed a decline in illnesses during those months. From September to November, there were 465, 242, and 211 cases of sick children per month, respectively.
Head Nurse Elmerson Miguel noted that despite the decreasing trend, student cases may potentially increase this holiday season given the numerous celebrations. He suspects that factors such as the changing weather, students not wearing masks, a general decrease in immune system resilience, or a combination of all these could also contribute to a rise in cases.
Additionally, Miguel observed that students from Grades 4 and below are less prone to getting sick. This could be attributed to their healthier immune systems and their frequent mask-wearing compared to older students.
To ensure student health and safety, MGCNLCA has been implementing several precautionary measures, such as regular health screenings, monitoring of health-related absences, and sanitation protocols. The school also ensures that each classroom has good air circulation. During days with no classes, commonly touched items such as toys and carpets are regularly cleaned and sanitized.
Miguel encourages parents to ensure that their children receive the necessary vaccines and annual flu shots. He also advises students to wear their masks more often and to rest during the Christmas break to develop a healthier immune system. Moreover, the school nurse stressed the importance of students staying at home if feeling unwell to avoid worsening their condition and spreading their sickness to others.
“Let’s be reminded that COVID-19 is still around and that we should protect ourselves and others,” Miguel says as a reminder to all students, parents, and staff to constantly stay cautious.
