JKNK probing cause of COVID-19 infection among SMKA Naim Lil-Banat students
Kelantan State Health Department (JKNK) director Datuk Dr Zaini Hussin
18/01/2022 05:17 PM
KOTA BHARU, Jan 18 -- The Kelantan Health Department (JKNK) is still conducting further investigations regarding the COVID-19 infection among Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama (SMKA) Naim Lil-Banat students.
Its director Datuk Dr Zaini Hussin said in a situation where the virus was already in the community, it was difficult to determine the cause of infection, however samples from the infected students had been sent to the laboratory to identify whether it involved the Omicron, Delta or Beta variant.
"If we get the information, we can find out the cause of infection among the school students," he told Bernama when contacted today.
On rumours that the case was caused by a student whose parents had just returned from performing umrah and were confirmed to be infected with the Omicron variant, he said they were not true.
“People are advised not to spread false messages because it can cause concern to parents and the community,” he said.
Dr Zaini said the cluster involving 44 students who are staying at the school hostel was declared as the Embi Telipot Cluster on Jan 14.
“Based on investigations, a total of 256 close contacts have been identified. All of them have been instructed to undergo quarantine and those experiencing any symptom have been advised to go for a screening,” he said.
He added that the Kota Bharu Health office had suggested that the school’s face-to-face teaching and learning process be postponed from today until Jan 25.
-- BERNAMA
44 religious school students tested positive for COVID-19
January 18, 2022
In addition to the 44 students, the investigation also identified 256 close contacts.
KOTA BHARU: A total of 44 students from the hostel at a Religious Secondary School here, tested positive for COVID-19 as of yesterday.
The matter was confirmed by Kelantan State Health Director Datuk Dr Zaini Hussin.
According to him, the cluster involved the school's boarding students which was declared on 14 January. He said investigations were also conducted that found that 256 close contacts were identified.
"All these close contacts are instructed to undergo quarantine, they are also advised to undergo screening if they experience symptoms during that period. As of yesterday, 44 cases were detected positive for COVID-19 involving all the school's boarding students," Dr Zaini said in a statement issued.
He said the Kota Bharu District Health Office also recommended that the school's face-to-face teaching and learning process be postponed from today until January 25.
Commenting on allegations that the outbreak stemmed from a student whose parents had just returned from performing umrah and contracted the Omicron variant, Dr Zaini denied the unfounded report.
This is because, he explained, he has not yet obtained the Omicron variant results for the student's parent sample.
"However, we are still conducting further investigations to find out the cause of the school's COVID-19 cases. We confirm that there is a COVID-19 cluster at the school involving boarding students," he explained.
At the same time, Dr Zaini advised the public not to spread untrue messages as it could cause concern to parents and the community.
January 18, 2022
In addition to the 44 students, the investigation also identified 256 close contacts.
KOTA BHARU: A total of 44 students from the hostel at a Religious Secondary School here, tested positive for COVID-19 as of yesterday.
The matter was confirmed by Kelantan State Health Director Datuk Dr Zaini Hussin.
According to him, the cluster involved the school's boarding students which was declared on 14 January. He said investigations were also conducted that found that 256 close contacts were identified.
"All these close contacts are instructed to undergo quarantine, they are also advised to undergo screening if they experience symptoms during that period. As of yesterday, 44 cases were detected positive for COVID-19 involving all the school's boarding students," Dr Zaini said in a statement issued.
He said the Kota Bharu District Health Office also recommended that the school's face-to-face teaching and learning process be postponed from today until January 25.
Commenting on allegations that the outbreak stemmed from a student whose parents had just returned from performing umrah and contracted the Omicron variant, Dr Zaini denied the unfounded report.
This is because, he explained, he has not yet obtained the Omicron variant results for the student's parent sample.
"However, we are still conducting further investigations to find out the cause of the school's COVID-19 cases. We confirm that there is a COVID-19 cluster at the school involving boarding students," he explained.
At the same time, Dr Zaini advised the public not to spread untrue messages as it could cause concern to parents and the community.
