GEORGE TOWN – Parents here are fuming over not being notified by a Tg Tokong school that one of its Standard 1 pupils tested positive for Covid-19 yesterday.
A pregnant woman, whose child goes to the Tg Tokong school, was deeply concerned, telling The Vibes that only parents of those in the affected class were told.
When she saw the notice that was shared on chat groups, she tried to verify the information with a teacher. Instead, she was told off for spreading rumours.
“China Press has reported it and the notice is being widely shared on WhatsApp groups. The reason why I am concerned is that other parents claimed the infected pupil has siblings who are studying in the same school.
“As long as the school does not clarify and clear up the situation, rumours will continue to spread. Transparency is the only way to stop it.
“Perhaps the Health Ministry should come up with guidelines for schools that not only covers the health and safety of the infected (persons) but also the flow of information to parents. This is so we will be assured of our children’s safety. I am extra worried because I am pregnant,” she said.
Several parents said they were told by some teachers that the school is following the standard operating procedures (SOPs) set by the Health Ministry (MoH).
Some parents suggested that schools with Covid-19 cases should release a notice to all parents, detailing the dates the child was in school, how the child was infected, if the child has siblings in the school and make clear the preventive measures taken by the school.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), pregnant women can suffer more severe Covid-19 symptoms due to changes in their bodies and immune systems.
At the time of writing, the school in Tg Tokong has not issued any notice to parents.
Tg Bungah assemblyman Zairil Khir Johari told The Vibes that the state Health Department does not share such information with elected representatives.
Sin Chew had reported that Chung Ling High School in Air Itam detected a Covid-19 case two days ago. A Form 4 student contracted the virus from his father, who works in manufacturing.
A source told The Vibes that only teachers and students of the affected class were informed. The rest of school, including other teachers, only found out after it was reported in the media. – The Vibes, April 16, 2021
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