PENDANG – Ninety-nine students living in the Maktab Mahmud dormitories in Tobiar, Kedah have been tested positive for Covid-19 – creating a new cluster, Dah Penyarom.
The Vibes’ Malay-language sister portal Getaran reported that the state Health and Local Government Committee chairman Datuk Dr Mohd Hayati Othman said most of those who tested positive were female students at the school.
“It is understood that the case was detected after some female students were seen to have symptoms of cough and fever while taking an exam. Upon completion of the exam, they underwent the Covid-19 test and were confirmed positive.
“Screening tests were then conducted on all hostel students. Those who tested positive were sent to the Dewan Wawasan Covid-19 Quarantine and Treatment Centre in Jitra by bus today,” he told Getaran.
The cluster was called Dah Penyarom as Maktab Mahmud is located in Kg Penyarom.
In addition, he said there are still students who have yet to receive the results of their screening test and are wearing pink bracelets, quarantined in the dormitory.
“The hostel and school buildings have been sanitised and cleaned, and I had the opportunity to review the situation there with the district health officer today,” he said.
When commenting on the steep rise in Covid-19 cases in Kedah, which logged 403 cases yesterday compared to 268 cases on the previous day, Dr Hayati said that all parties should pay attention to the matter to prevent the spread from becoming more rampant.
“All parties in the state should remember to adhere to the standard operating procedures set to curb the spread of Covid-19 in our community and schools,” he said. – The Vibes, January 19, 2022