159 Johor Students To Get Tested For COVID-19, 19 Petaling Schools Close For Contact Tracing

COVID-19 cases in schools

Students have been able to return to school for lessons as the COVID-19 situation in Malaysia is currently considered under control. But the pandemic remains a cause for concern as we have been seeing COVID-19 cases cropping up in schools. Most recently, 159 students from 5 schools in Johor were screened for the virus.

Likewise, 19 schools in Petaling had to be closed for disinfection and contact tracing after several cases were reported there. 259 students in Kelantan have also tested positive for COVID-19, following Kelantan Education Department’s announcement that schools in 7 districts would be closed for a week.

Johor students undergo COVID-19 testing

On 19th April 2021, 159 students in Johor had to get tested for COVID-19 at various assessment centres in the district, as reported by Bernama. This is a precautionary measure, as new COVID-19 cases involving teachers and students have been reported in the state.

Also yesterday, Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah shared that 6 of 14 new clusters reported on 19th April stemmed from education centres and institutions in Kelantan, Sabah, Johor and Kedah, as reported by Malay Mail.

Berita Harian reports vehicles queueing up at a Pasir Gudang assessment centre to get students tested for COVID-19.
Image credit: Berita Harian

It was said that the students contracted COVID-19 outside of school grounds. However, a school cluster has since emerged in Kelantan called Jalan Hospital cluster. Most cases are said to have stemmed from this cluster, with students and staff at a school in Pasir Mas affected.

It was also reported on 20th April that 259 secondary school students tested positive for COVID-19 after rigorous testing in the state between 3rd April and 16th April. Another 111 primary school students were also found to be COVID-19 positive.

19 teachers and various school staff tested positive too, as well as 8 children under 7 years of age.

COVID-19 cases emerging in schools - screening
Image credit: Pejabat Kesihatan Daerah Johor Bahru

As such, Kelantan Education Department has mandated schools that are in districts currently under the MCO to close for 7 days – from 18th April to 24th April – as reported by The Star. Districts affected are Kota Baru, Pasir Mas, Pasir Puteh, Bachok, Machang, Tumpat and Tanah Merah.

19 schools in Petaling ordered to close

To keep students safe at this time, 19 schools in Petaling have been ordered to temporarily close for disinfection and sanitation purposes by the Petaling District Health Office.

While it is not stated when the schools will be back in session, with closures indefinite as of now, schools will be allowed to reopen with a 2 day-notice given.

Sanitation works at SMK USJ 23
Image credit: Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan USJ23

According to a report by New Straits Times, contact tracing will also be carried out at the affected schools where positive COVID-19 cases have been reported.

Some of these schools are:

SAM Bestari Subang (4 confirmed cases)
SMK Bukit Jelutong (1 confirmed case)
SK Puchong Perdana (1 confirmed case)
SK Bandar Baru Sri Damansara 2 (1 confirmed case)
SK Bukit Kuchai (1 confirmed case)
SMK Bandar Sri Damansara 2 (1 confirmed case)
SK Bandar Sri Damansara 3 (1 confirmed case)
SJKC Yuk Chai (1 confirmed case)
SMK Damansara Jaya (1 confirmed case)
SK Bukit Jelutong (1 confirmed case)
SMK Seksyen 7 (1 confirmed case)
SK USJ 20 (2 confirmed cases)
SMK USJ 23 (2 confirmed cases)
SMK Puchong (1 confirmed case)
SMK Puchong Utama 1 (4 confirmed cases)
SMK Seksyen 4 Bandar Kinrara (1 confirmed case)
SMK Bandar Puncak Jalil (1 confirmed case)
SMK Seksyen 20 (1 confirmed case)
SMK Puchong Perdana (1 confirmed case)

Schools see COVID-19 cases among teachers and students

Students are most likely glad to be back at school and mingling with their friends once again. But cases showing up in schools, and affecting teachers and students alike, show us all that we should not take COVID-19 lightly and should remain vigilant in keeping ourselves and those around us safe.