DOH probes Laguna fire drill incident

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) office in Calabarzon is looking into a fire drill at a school in Cabuyao City in Laguna on Thursday that left more than 100 students hospitalized.

”The regional epidemiology and surveillance unit is in close coordination with its city and provincial counterparts in the ongoing investigation and awaiting further details on the hospitalized students,” the DOH-Calabarzon said in a statement issued yesterday.

While a majority of the affected students had been discharged on Thursday, 24 other students were reportedly brought to the Cabuyao City Hospital on Friday. Fourteen remained under observation as of yesterday.

Around 3,000 students of the Gulod National High School in Barangay Mamatid participated in the fire drill in an open area at around 2:30 pm. The heat index at the time was between 39 to 42 degrees Celsius.

Citing an advisory of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, the DOH warned the public of rising temperatures with the onset of summer.

The Department of Education (DepEd) had earlier said it is conducting an investigation into the fire drill to avoid a similar incident.

The DepEd said it is coordinating with officials of the Cabuyao city government to cover the medical expenses of the students.