COVID-19: 2,145 school-going children infected since February, says Health DG

He said 1,257 students were detected positive since the third wave of the pandemic from Sept 22 until Oct 21.

From February to Oct 21, 830 cases involved pupils aged seven to 12 years while 1,315 cases involved students aged 13 to 18 years.

In the third wave, 587 cases involved students aged seven to 12 years and 670 cases were students aged 13 to 18 years, he said at the latest COVID-19 development press conference here, yesterday.

He said, since the third wave hit the country, 12 schools affected by the cluster were closed for a week for disinfection and close contact screening.

He said Negeri Sembilan and Johor closed three schools following the Cahaya Cluster, Sofi Cluster and Bah Manggis Cluster in Negeri Sembilan as well as the Simera Cluster and Rinting Cluster (two schools) in Johor.

Kuala Lumpur, on the other hand, closed two schools involving the Jalan Pantai Cluster and the Long Cluster while Penang, Melaka, Putrajaya and Sarawak closed one school respectively following the Alma Cluster, Bukit Cluster, Selasih Cluster and Bah Arnab Cluster.

Meanwhile, when asked whether the screening of occupants at Pelangi Damansara Flats was related to the Utama Cluster, Dr Noor Hisham said the Health Ministry would not announce such an association to avoid fuelling fear and stigma in the area.

He said most importantly, if there was a positive case in an area, the ministry would take action such as closing down the place and conducting disinfection

“We will not announce the name of the place or about conducting screening in the area," he said.

“Once there is a case in the area, people will be afraid to go to that school, condominium or shopping mall. We understand some action has been taken,” he said.