School’s Covid-19 cases spark anxiety

Anxious wait: Pupils of SJK(C) Keng Koon gathering at the school to undergo their second Covid-19 test at Jalan Bukit Tambun in Simpang Ampat, Penang. — ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star

NIBONG TEBAL: A teacher and 15 pupils from SJK(C) Keng Koon in Simpang Ampat here have tested positive for Covid-19.

Bukit Tambun assemblyman Goh Choon Aik said the affected pupils are from Years Four to Six, from the morning session.

As at press time, 16 people from the school were confirmed positive.

“Three new cases were recorded and among them is a teacher, ” said Goh, who visited the school yesterday.

Yesterday also marked the fourth day where no pupils had turned up at the school for lessons out of fear of infection.

However, at 9am, pupils from three classes with pink wristbands, identified as close contacts, arrived to undergo their second Covid-19 test inside the school.

Parents dropped their children off at the gate and waited anxiously under the sun outside the fence perimeter.

A 42-year-old father, who declined to be named, said he regretted sending his 10-year-old son back to school.

“For almost the whole of last year, he followed lessons online. Although it was not a perfect condition to study in, all was fine.

“When schools reopened, we thought it would be safe and never imagined that we would be facing an alarming spike in Covid-19 cases within the school itself.

“As a father, I’m also considered a close contact, so I’ve stopped going to work and meeting anyone to ensure safety for all.

“I hope the Education Ministry will shut all schools until enough people are vaccinated, ” he said.

On Monday, after the initial cases were reported, the morning session at SJK(C) Keng Koon went on with only 35 out of 839 morning session pupils in attendance.

The outbreak is believed to have originated from two siblings in two different classes.

A total of 1,194 pupils are enrolled in the school.

Meanwhile, schooling went on as usual at SK Bukit Tambun across the road with 190 pupils from preschool to Year Six.

Some parents were on hand to drop off their children while a packed van was also seen dropping pupils at the entrance.

“I’m not so worried. The Covid-19 cases are there and not here, ” said a mother in her 30s.

“As long as we follow the necessary standard operating procedure (SOP), all should be safe.

“We have to work and nobody is at home to look after the children, ” she added.

A check, however, found some pupils being allowed to enter without face masks, while some of the pupils who arrived in the packed van did not have face masks on.