One of the oldest convent schools in Singapore, CHIJ Secondary School (Toa Payoh) announced it will be placing students on home-based learning from July 22, 2021.
The school took this decision after a student tested positive for COVID-19 infection.
In a letter to the parents and guardians, the school said that the student contracted the virus from a family member. She was last seen in school on July 19 (Monday) and was fine.
The Ministry of Education also confirmed the development.
The school said it implemented home-based learning to allow for “thorough cleaning and disinfecting of its premises.”
The announcement also comes at a time when Singapore is back in Phase 2 (Heightened Alert) after a recent spike in cases on the island.
CHIJ Students Return To School Next Week
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Furthermore, students from Secondary 2 to Secondary 5 will return to CHIJ Secondary Toa Payoh the day after. Whereas, students in Secondary 1 will return to school next Wednesday (July 28).
Moreover, the school said that students and staff who were in close contact with the affected student will be placed on a leave of absence.
A text message will be sent to the parents of students who were in close proximity of the infected student and will be directly contacted by the Ministry of Health. They will be then directed on the next course of action that needs to be taken.
The school also reassured that those who came in close contact are healthy and there’s nothing to be worried about.
“Please be assured that all the close contacts are healthy; they are performing a social duty to isolate themselves, as a precaution,” the letter said. “The school has and will continue to tightly implement safe management measures.”
Despite strict social distancing measures and frequent testing, the possibility of contracting COVID-19 is strong. With the virus developing new strains, there are also reports of it being airborne according to the Lancet study released last month.
Airborne does not mean outside air is contaminated, but it means that the virus will remain suspended in the air, typically indoors.
That’s why it’s important you follow all the necessary safety protocols and hygiene practices at home and outside. This is particularly important for children in school where the risk of contracting the infection is higher.
Precautions To Prevent COVID-19 Infection
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1. Maintain social distancing norms
We can’t stress this enough. Each and every student needs to follow social distancing norms religiously to avoid risking their lives and that of their friends and family.
Maintaining social distancing will give you a fighting chance against the virus, reducing the possibility that you contract it.
2. Always wear a mask
Students need to wear a mask at all times when in school or stepping out on the playground. Parents should make sure that students have a spare mask in their bags at all times, should they soil the current one or forget it after removing the same.
3. Use a sanitiser
Make it a point that kids wash their hands regularly and for 20 seconds using a disinfectant soap. At the same time, encourage them to use the sanitiser when washing their hands is not possible.
Always keep a sanitiser in their backpack handy for kids to use in school and otherwise.
4. Avoid sharing toys and musical instruments
Avoid sharing toys, lunch box or stationery utensils that increase the risk of spreading the infection. While it’s completely normal on other days, this obviously is a health concern during these times.
Moreover, any activity that requires students to share instruments cannot take place right now. The government has also barred playing wind-based instruments like a flute or a saxophone that increases the risk of infection under Phase 2 (Heightened Alert).
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5. Air fives over handshakes
Kids love to hug, play, shake hands and high-five from time to time. They need to avoid all of this in the wake of the pandemic.
Instead, encourage them to air-five instead which remains cool without the touching part. Another solution would be fist bumps that are cool too.
News Source: Todayonline.com
Lead/feature image courtesy: Wikipedia/ CHIJ Secondary School (Toa Payoh)
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