MIRI – Sarawak Housing and Public Health Assistant Minister Dr Annuar Rapa’ee has refuted a news report published by a national paper that 95 pupils from two Sibu primary schools have been infected by Covid-19.
The assistant minister today took to social media to deny these claims.
“Please be aware of the false claims being circulated that SK Abang Ali has 52 positive infections and SK St Mary has 43 positive cases. That is fake news,” he said.
“These schools were told to stop classes and to shut down operations as a precaution since they are located in outbreak zones, not because they have pupils infected.”
Dr Annuar, who is the Sibu division Disaster Management Committee (DMC) coordinator, urged the people to verify all Covid-19 related news that are being shared on social media.
SK Abang Ali and SK St Mary last Friday were ordered closed by the state Education Department following urgent requests by the Sibu DMC.
There are about 1,000 pupils and teachers in each of these two schools, which are located near the Jalan Awang and Kg Hilir Covid-19 clusters in Sibu town.
Dr Annuar, who is also Nangka assemblyman, had urged parents and students to stay away for the meantime. “These schools will be closed until further notice. The Covid-19 infection rate around these schools are getting worse, especially in Kg Hilir housing estate.
“Pupils and parents must take note and stay away.”
On March 18, SJKC Methodist – which has about 1,500 pupils, teachers, and staff – was hit by a Covid-19 infection. It was one of the schools that had reopened last Monday for schooling.
Dr Annuar said SJKC Methodist was shut down as one of the teaching staff had been infected by Covid-19.
Sibu is the worst-hit Covid-19 red zones in Sarawak. Out of the 96 deaths and more than 13,700 Covid-19 infections in the state, about half are in Sibu district. – The Vibes, March 21, 2021
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