58 students test positive for Covid-19 in Sabah

KOTA KINABALU: Fi y-eight students have tested positive for Covid-19 since schools reopened in the state last week for those preparing for their SPM and STPM examinations.

Sabah Covid-19 spokesperson Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun yesterday said all the close contacts of students have been identified and under quarantine in their own respective districts.

Masidi said that the district with the most students infected is in Sandakan with 10 cases, followed by Lahad Datu and Semporna with seven cases each, Tawau with six cases, Kalabakan, Kota Marudu and Kudat with four cases each, Kinabatangan and Ranau with three cases each, Telupid and Tongod with two cases each while Beaufort, Keningau, Kota Belud, Kunak, Papar and Pitas each have one case.

However, none of the schools have been closed.

Masidi also said a teacher and a student from SMK Tulid in Sook have been tested positive for Covid19 as of January 25.

He said this in response to recent reports of 48 students from the SMK Tulid hostel that had been quarantined as they were close contacts of a teacher who was Covid-19 positive.

“Both of them are receiving treatment at the PKRC (Quarantine and Low Risk Treatment Covid-19 Centre) Keningau. Following this, 64 have been identified as close contacts and they have all been quarantined at IPG (Institut Pendidikan Guru) Keningau.

“Preliminary investigation shows that the probability of this infection is community infection and not school infection,” he said.

“As a result of the swi action taken by the Keningau Health Office, all risky close contacts have been identified and isolated from teachers and other students. As such, local disinfection activities were conducted on January 24, 2021, and there was no need to close the school. School sessions are allowed to run as usual with strict SOP compliance,” he added.

Masidi said currently only students si ing for SPM/STPM are allowed to return to the dormitory a er going through the Covid-19 screening testing.

“However, the Sabah State Health Department would like to remind teachers and school staff to always be aware of their health levels and to go see a doctor to undergo the screening test if they have symptoms. ,” he said.