MIRI – Three primary school students at SJK(C) Tung Hua in Sibu have been infected with Covid-19.
The school has been ordered to shut down until further notice.
Pelawan assemblyman David Wong Kee Woan told constituents via social media platforms that the school was ordered by the Education Department to close.
“I have spoken to Dr Annuar Rapaee (state Assistant Public Health Minister) and he confirmed that three students at SJK(C) Tung Hua tested positive with Covid-19.
“The three infected students are from different classes and the school was supposed to open today.
“However, it was ordered to cease operations until further notice,” he said.
Wong said the Sibu Health Department has deployed teams of medical staff to trace close contacts of the infected students.
“(Other) students and teachers and families of the infected (children) will undergo screening and swab tests,” he said.
The school will also undergo sanitisation by the Sibu Fire and Rescue Department.
Another school, SJK(C) Methodist Sibu, was ordered to shut after a teacher was found virus-positive.
Two other schools in Sibu town have also been ordered to close as a precaution.
Dr Annuar, who is Sibu Divisional Disaster Management Committee coordinator, had said that SK Abang Ali and SK St Mary were told to shut since they are located in outbreak zones.
There are about 1,000 students and teachers in each of these schools located in Sibu town.
Dr Annuar urged parents and students to steer clear of these schools.
“These schools will be closed until further notice.
“The Covid-19 infection rate at these schools is getting worse, especially at the Kg Hilir housing estate.
“Students and parents must take note and stay away,” he said.
On March 18, SJK(C) Methodist in Sibu was closed when a teachers was found infected with the coronavirus.
The school has since reopened.
Dr Annuar said that he will provide daily updates on the Covid-19 situation in Sibu.
“Anyone with queries can contact me,” he said.
Sibu is the worst-hit Covid-19 red zone in Sarawak.
About half of the 97 deaths and 14,000 Covid-19 infections in the state come from Sibu. – The Vibes, March 22, 2021
