PETALING JAYA: The Health Ministry is still awaiting Covid-19 test results for the secondary student from Lembah Pantai near here, but confirms that the student has dengue fever.
Claims that the Form Five student had been infected with Covid-19 went viral on social media recently.
Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah (pic) said the student had tested positive for dengue fever but verification of Covid-19 test results was still being carried out.
“The Health Ministry has taken note of a viral message spread via WhatsApp and social media about a positive Covid-19 case in Lembah Pantai involving a student from a school in Seri Pantai.
“Investigations found that the Form Five student had symptoms of vomiting and diarrhoea on Aug 9, and the student sought treatment at a private clinic on Aug 10.
“The student was then transferred to a medical centre for further treatment and was screened for dengue fever and Covid-19.
“The dengue fever result turned up positive but verification for the Covid-19 test is still being carried out at the lab to ensure that there is no cross-response during the test, ” he said in his daily press statement on Wednesday (Aug 12).
While waiting for the test results, the ministry had started active case detection activity in order to curb the risk of infection, said Dr Noor Hisham.
Up to date, 34 students and eight teachers have been identified as close contacts of the student.
“From this number, 28 individuals were screened and another 14 have been instructed to be present at the clinic for a test, ” said Dr Noor Hisham.
All of the individuals screened were put under home quarantine, he said, adding that the sanitisation process had also been carried out at identified locations.
“Monitoring on this symptomatic case and all close contacts will continue to be done by the Health Ministry, ” he said.
Dr Noor Hisham, however, stressed that only the Health Ministry would announce positive Covid-19 cases.
He said that reports from any other source would be considered as speculation until investigations are done and verified by the ministry.
“The public is advised to check the validity of any information received before believing it and spreading it, ” he said.
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