Penang school works to halt virus spread
GEORGE TOWN: All necessary steps have been taken to contain the spread of Covid-19 at a primary school in Bukit Jambul after one of its pupils tested positive on Saturday.
SJK(C) Min Sin’s board of governors chairman Datuk Dr Yee Thiam Sun said the school would do everything to contain the spread of the virus.
“The school and the headmaster must be commended for taking immediate action on the matter.
“They followed all the standard operating procedures (SOP) recommended by the state Health Department and Education Department in taking steps to prevent any further cases in the school,” he said in a press conference at Wisma St John at Jalan Grove here yesterday.
Dr Yee said the school would be engaging a professional company to sanitise its premises in a day or two following a disinfection exercise by the state Health Department on Sunday.
He added that the infected pupil’s classmates and teachers of the particular class had undergone Covid19 tests yesterday.
Dr Yee said the school remained open but attendance was low.
“I want the pupils, teachers and parents not to be unduly alarmed as the chances of the girl infecting others is almost nil.
“She was asymptomatic when the first test was conducted on Sept 16. She only tested positive in the second test on Saturday.
“The girl stopped going to school since Sept 16.
“She was infected after her uncle, who returned from Sandakan tested positive on Sept 15,” he said.
Dr Yee said the Education Department allowed pupils to take leave if they were not comfortable going to school.
He said the school also encouraged pupils to study at home.
Meanwhile, Batu Uban assemblyman A. Kumaresan said the school was operating as usual and following the SOP as advised by the Health Ministry.
He urged parents not to panic as the school was adhering to guidelines set by the authorities.