Two students and a teacher have tested positive for COVID-19. This adds to the increasing number of primary school students and staff in Singapore that have tested positive in recent days.
According to the Ministry of Education’s (MOE) statement on Monday (17 May), the students and teacher came from three different primary schools: Maha Bodhi School, Fuchun Primary School, and Frontier Primary School.
Two Students And A Teach Test Positive For COVID-19
Image source: Facebook / Fuchin Primary School
1. Student from Fuchun Primary School
An eight-year-old boy from Fuchun Primary School is one of the many primary school students in Singapore that have tested positive for COVID-19. MOE says the boy is linked to a previous case and was last in school on 12 May.
The Ministry of Health (MOH) adds that the boy is a family member and was in household contact with a software engineer at ST Engineering who also tested positive on 12 May. The student was placed in quarantine on the same day.
On 15 May, the boy was tested for COVID-19. It was confirmed the next day that he was infected.
2. Teacher from Frontier Primary School
A 37-year-old teacher from Frontier Primary School also tested positive for COVID-19. MOH says her infection is currently unlinked to previous cases.
The teacher was last in school on 14 May where she felt fine during the day. Later on, she developed a fever and a sore throat as well as felt body aches.
She was tested for COVID-19 at a clinic and her results came out positive on 16 May. MOH adds she also tested “preliminarily positive” for the B1617 variant that was first detected in India.
Frontier Primary School, along with Fuchun Primary School, has already moved to home-based learning on Monday to avoid any risk of transmission.
3. Student From Maha Bodhi School
Another 7-year-old student from Maha Bodhi School tested positive for COVID-19.
She was in quarantine since 14 May as she was in the same external student care centre at Seedlings World Student Care @ Frankel with an earlier confirmed case from St Stephen’s School.
The student was last in school on 12 May when she was still feeling well. On 15 May, she developed a fever and was tested for COVID-19. Her test results confirmed that she was infected.
MOE says since this is a linked case “where she had developed symptoms after being quarantined,” there will be no need for contact tracing among school contacts. Physical lessons will resume for Maha Bodhi School from 17 to 18 May. They will start home-based learning on 19 May as the rest of the schools in Singapore.
MOE To Continue Monitoring The Situation In Schools Closely
Image source: iStock
Both Fuchun and Frontier Primary School have been thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. Those who were in close contact with the confirmed cases have been placed in quarantine. They will also be undergoing COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) swab tests.
With the increase in positive cases among primary school students, MOE has urged all students and school staff to continue practising good personal hygiene. MOE also advises to adhere to safe management measures. This includes:
- Wearing masks
- Washing hands frequently
- Wiping down equipment and tables after use
- Seeing a doctor if feeling unwell
The ministry adds, “MOE will continue to monitor the situation closely, and work with the school and parents to ensure the well-being of staff and students.”
Lead image source from Frontier Primary School website, Facebook / Fuchun Primary School Singapore and Maha bodhi school.
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