THE DEPARTMENT of Education said that it received reports from different schools nationwide that several teachers and students have tested positive for Covid19 since the opening of the school year in August.

“We already received reports all over the country that there are learners, teachers and nonteaching staff who tested positive for Covid19,” DepEd Spokesperson Michael Poa said.

However, the spokesman did not release the number of those who got infected.

Earlier, Poa said that transmission of the virus is “expected” among those individuals who attend in-person classes.

“With the gathering of learners and teachers in classrooms, just like in offices and other establishments, Covid transmission is expected. What is important is we do not experience a surge where critical care utilization is exhausted,” Poa said.

“Hence, [DepEd] is monitoring the situation and the schools in terms of the implementation and observation of minimum public health standards,” he added.