MANILA - As more schools report confirmed cases of influenza A (H1N1) among their students, faculty and employees, health and education officials on Wednesday revised the guidelines on suspension of classes for schools affected by the spread of the virus.

The Department of Health (DOH), in cooperation with the Department of Education (DepEd), came up with the revised rules after studying the characteristics and transmission of the virus for one month, starting when the illness first appeared in the country.

Under the revised guidelines, classes will no longer be called off should new cases be reported in the same schools.

Revised alert levels

Under the new Alert Level Response 3, classes will only be called off for ten days after the first confirmed case is reported, to assess the medical situation of the patient and those in close contact with the patient.

The suspension of classes will also be done to enhance the campaign for cleanliness, hygiene and readiness in the school, and to disinfect the school.

Subsequent cases in the same school will only be made to go home, along those in direct contact with them, for medical observation at home or in a medical facility.

Only high-risk cases, such as those with chronic illnesses before contracting the A (H1N1) virus infection, will be hospitalized.

Meanwhile, based on the revised Alert Level Response 4, classes will no longer be suspended in schools in communities with a low-level community outbreak.

Authorities think it would be pointless to cancel classes in areas where students would be going home to a community already beset with many A (H1N1) cases.

When this happens, classes will go on, and only the sick and those in direct contact with them will be made to stay at home.

On the other hand, in schools with many buildings or large campuses, classes will only be called off in units or buildings where the patient stayed.

No gimmicks

Authorities, meanwhile, reminded students that the cancellation of classes due to A (H1N1) should not be used as an excuse to go on gimmicks, saying that they should instead observe self-quarantine and avoid crowded areas.

The DepEd is also considering how to offset the loss of class hours due to the suspension of classes, like cutting back on vacation days, giving students more homework, and utilizing the internet for out-of-school learning.

The DepEd required a total of 206 school days during the entire school year.

There are now 42 schools that have suspended classes due to the spread of the illness.

The additional schools are the Claret School of Quezon City, Holy Spirit BF in Quezon City, Assumption Antipolo, and Saint Mary's School in Catbalogan, all of which declared class suspensions Wednesday. With reports from RG Cruz and Zyann Ambrosio, ABS-CBN News