Covid-19: 41 clusters linked to schools, varsities resulting in 2,268 cases since January

PUTRAJAYA: There have been 41 Covid-19 clusters originating from the schools and universities since January, resulting in 2,268 positive cases so far.

In his daily Covid-19 update, Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said 1,058 of the positive cases came from outbreaks at institutes of higher learning.

The rest were from secondary schools (631 cases), preschools and primary schools (419), and others (120).

“In the past three months, the 41 clusters from the education sector include 15 from higher education centres, 11 from secondary schools, 10 from preschools and primary schools, as well as five clusters involving tahfiz centres and madrasah.

“This includes three new clusters announced Thursday, namely the Paloh Rambai cluster, the Merinding cluster, and the Persiaran Maktab cluster, ” said Dr Noor Hisham on Thursday (March 25).

Dr Noor Hisham said the Health Ministry is urging all those involved in the education sector, be it teachers, parents, students, school vehicle drivers or canteen operators, to constantly adhere to the Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOP).

“The ministry welcomes the Education Ministry’s commitment to ensuring that students are not left behind and are able to continue their learning in a safe environment.

“Always practise the Health Ministry’s Covid-19 preventive and control measures before, during, and after school hours, ” said Dr Noor Hisham.

He said this includes the wearing of face masks as well as the practising of social distancing among students and teachers at all times.

“Distancing must always be maintained when in the classroom, outdoor activities as well as during journeys home from school, ” he said.

He added that the Education Ministry should consider closing schools immediately should there be infections detected among school children.

“This is to allow sanitisation works and to prevent the spread of Covid-19 infection to others in schools, ” he said.

Dr Noor Hisham said his ministry will continue working to ensure that the health and safety of the people in the education sector are prioritised.

The Education Ministry announced the reopening of educational institutions, starting on Jan 20 with those sitting for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) and other final year secondary school examinations.

On March 1, the reopening was extended to preschools and primary schools.