With new Covid cases in Singapore now, young children are no longer a safe. After a 15-year-old student recently tested positive, the Edgefield Secondary School is going on full Home-Based Learning (HBL) starting this week. The school aims to prevent a potential cluster from forming and that’s why it will shift to home-based learning from Tuesday to Friday.
The 15-year-old showed symptoms of the virus on April 28, 2021, after she developed a sore throat, runny nose and loss of smell. She reported being sick in school the next day.
The teenager sought medical treatment at a clinic and later tested for COVID-19. The report confirmed her to be positive on April 30. The girl is currently undergoing treatment at the National University Hospital (NUH).
The school will also test other students, staff and external vendors for COVID-19. Those who came in close contact with the student will be placed under quarantine. The school will be cleaned and disinfected as well.
Taking Precautionary Measures In School
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With HBL now in place, students will be get more time at home, but this is likely to disrupt the schedule of the parents. That’s why the Edgefield Secondary School will provide instruction and support for the students with online and physical materials.
The school also says that it will be in touch with parents and students during this period.
They also advised its staff and students to maintain social distancing and minimise contact with others as a precautionary measure until the results are out.
Other COVID Cases In Singapore, Now
Out of the six remaining community COVID-19 cases in Singapore now, three cases relate to a 46-year-old nurse who was the first in the Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) cluster to test positive. The three affected are elderly people over 70 and above.
An 88-year-old woman part of the TTSH cluster passed away from COVID-19 complications. The woman already had comorbidities with a history of cancer, hypertension, congestive cardiac failure, stroke, and hyperlipidaemia.
Apart from the student, the are three other unlinked cases in the community. This includes a 19-year-old Singapore PR who is a student at Singapore Management University (SMU). She was attending classes virtually and only visited the campus once on April 21.
The girl was asymptomatic, and her infection was only detected when she took a pre-departure test for a trip.
In the girl’s case, the health ministry believes that she could be shedding minute viral fragments from a past infection. The 19-year-old student confirmed that she was in close contact of a confirmed COVID-19 vase when she first arrived in Singapore last December. Her positive serology test also appears to support this theory.
Unlinked COVID Cases In Singapore
Another unlinked case recorded is that of a 22-year-old Malaysian national. The girl works as a spa therapist and carried the virus with no known links to confirmed cases. She did develop a runny nose on April 28, and sought medical treatment at a clinic where they tested her for COVID-19.
The test came back positive a day after.
The other case is that of a 50-year-old Singaporean PR, who is a manager at DIC Asia Pacific. The woman had been to her workplace on April 26 and 27. She travelled to Japan on March 13, and returned to Singapore on April 9, and had served a stay-home notice until April 23, 2021.
During her stay, the woman tested negative for COVID-19.
However, she developed body aches on April 27 followed by fever. This prompted her to seek medical treatment at a clinic, where they tested her for COVID-19. The woman’s result came back positive the next day.
In addition, two there are two more locally transmitted cases detected in a dormitory at Pasir Panjang Residence, located at 33 Harbour Drive. Both individuals are fully vaccinated.
Following Hygiene Tips To Prevent COVID-19 Infection
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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.
Here are a few hygiene tips that kids can follow:
1. Follow the basics
There are basic safety rules that children should follow at all times. This includes washing their hands multiple times a day for at least 20 seconds. To ensure kids follow this regularly, you can sing the Alphabet song or nursery songs for 20 seconds during each hand wash session.
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2. Exercise social distancing protocols
While children under two should not wear a mask, older children should make it a practice to wear one when in school or stepping out in a public space. Also, remind them to use a tissue to blow their nose and discard it immediately after use in a waste bin.
Another hygiene practice to follow is sneezing into the bend of the elbow, in case there are no tissues or a mask around.
3. Use a sanitiser
It’s not possible that children will be able to wash their hands. Instead, add a sanitiser to their backpack and make it a habit for them to use it on a regular basis.
This will ensure your little one is able to protect himself even when you’re not around.
4. Avoid sharing toys
Ask your children to avoid sharing toys or utensils during this period of illness. It may seem a bit harsh but make sure to explain to your child the reason why this needs to be done.
Also, do ask them to communicate the same with other children in school, in order to avoid conflict.
At the same time, disinfect your child’s toys and their surroundings using anti-bacterial wipes or ethanol and isopropyl alcohol-based solution. This will include their bags, lunchbox, stationery and more when they come back home from school.
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5. When in public spaces
Children should be habitual of washing or sanitising their hands regularly when in public spaces. They should also avoid leaning against walls or escalators. And always maintain social distancing in crowded areas.
Also, discourage children from shaking hands or hugging during this period. Teach them about air fives and fist bumps, which are as cool as they sound.
News Source: Goodyfeed
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