PUTRAJAYA (April 21): A total of 83 Covid-19 clusters related to the education sector were recorded from Jan 1 until yesterday, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba.
He said data from the Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre (CPRC) showed that 49 clusters (59.04%) with 2,617 cases were still active, while 34 clusters (40.96%) with 2,251 cases were declared ended.
Of the total clusters, 39 clusters with 1,420 cases were from the Ministry of Education’s schools or institutions subcategory, 19 clusters with 1,870 cases (the higher education subcategory) and 25 clusters with 1,578 cases (other education subcategories).
“For education institutions which recorded Covid-19 infection among their members, the management must immediately notify the nearest District Health Office (PKD) for prevention and control measures,” he said in a statement today.
Dr Adham said the need for a temporary closure of classes or premises would be considered based on risk assessment by PKD which comprises contact tracing and further inspection.
“The temporary closure aims to prevent the spread of Covid-19 among members of the education sector, including students, teachers, staff on duty and, further, to the community,” he said.
Dr Adham explained that when PKD or the State Health Department receives a report or notification on Covid-19 positive cases or a cluster, a team from PKD would be mobilised to conduct investigation, contact tracing, infection prevention and control measures as well as risk assessment.
PKD would also advise the management to conduct a cleaning and disinfection process on their premises, he said.
The minister urged all education premises to continue to adhere to the standard operating procedures (SOPs), such as maintaining physical distance, wearing face masks and practising personal hygiene.
“Run fever or symptom screening at the entrance of schools or premises. Those who are unwell or symptomatic are advised to seek treatment at nearby health facilities,” he said.
