A teaching staff at a preschool centre run by My First Skool in Ang Mo Kio was reported to have tested positive for COVID-19, the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) confirmed on Wednesday (8 April).
My First Skool In Ang Mo Kio To Close For 14 Days
ECDA said it was informed that a teaching staff at My First Skool at Blk 541 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10 tested positive for the virus infection on Wednesday. The said teacher was last in the centre on Saturday (4 April).
The agency said it has directed that the centre be temporarily closed from 9 April to 18 April, to cover the 14-day incubation period, as a precautionary measure. The closure period will be used to conduct a thorough cleaning and disinfection of the preschool premises.
ECDA said it will be “closely monitoring its staff and parents on the health of their children.”
All affected staff and children will be placed on a leave of absence (LOA) during the closure period. Contact tracing is ongoing.
Barring any new developments, the centre will reopen on 20 April to serve a limited group of parents who are working in essential services and are unable to extend their alternative care arrangements beyond the closure period.
Image source: My First Skool/Life @ First Campus Facebook
Preschools are reminded to be vigilant when conducting health checks, and to observe high standards of personal and environmental hygiene, ECDA said. “This includes keeping the centre environment clean, and frequent washing of hands with soap – especially before eating or handling food, after toilet visits, or when hands are dirtied by respiratory secretions after coughing or sneezing.”
COVID-19 Clusters In Preschools
This is not the first time a preschool was closed temporarily due to confirmed COVID-19 cases.
One new cluster formed at Little Gems Preschool at Ang Mo Kio Street 62. | Image source: Little Gems Preschool Website
On 6 April, Little Gems Preschool at 3 Ang Mo Kio Street 62 had to extend its closure after a second employee, a relief teacher, and a two-year-old girl tested positive for the virus infection. The centre was initially set to reopen on 14 April, after the closure in line 14-day incubation period, It is now set to reopen on 18 April, unless otherwise advised.
The first case at Little Gems Preschool, a teacher, tested positive on Saturday (4 April).
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