KOTA KINABALU: Fifty-eight students have been tested positive with Covid-19 during a screening carried out prior to returning to school as of Jan 24.
The infection among students were recorded in Sandakan (10 cases); Lahad Datu (7); Semporna (7); Tawau (6); Kalabakan (4); Kota Marudu (4); Kudat (4); Kinabatangan (3); Ranau (3); Telupid (2); Tongod (2); Beaufort (1); Keningau (1); Kota Belud (1); Kunak (1); Papar (1); and Pitas (1).
The screening were done on Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) and Sijil Tinggi Pelajaran Malaysia (STPM) candidates during registration for hostel admission.
At the moment, Sabah Covid-19 spokesperson Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said the screening was only being carried out on students and not returning teachers.
"Nonetheless, the state Health Department would like to remind teachers and school staff to always be aware of their health and to see a doctor for a screening test if they have symptoms.
"At the same time, compliance with Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) should be given serious attention," he said in a press conference, today.
On teachers and students of SMK Tulid in Sook who were said to be infected, Masidi said a teacher and a student were found to be positive as of yesterday and were being placed treatment at the Keningau low-risk quarantine centre.
He added that 64 people had been identified as close contacts and were undergoing quarantine at the Keningau Institute of Teacher Education (IPG).
"The preliminary investigation result shows this is probably a community infection and not infection within a school.
"As a result of the swift action taken by the Keningau Health Office, all close contacts that are at risk have been identified and isolated from other teachers as well as students.
"Disinfection was also done on Jan 24 and there was no need for school closure.
"School session is allowed to run as usual with strict compliance to the SOP," he said,
Today, Sabah recorded 348 new infections and three deaths, while 400 patients have recovered and discharged.
The state also recorded a new cluster dubbed Industri Apas in Tawau, with two new cases today, bringing the total of cumulative cases to 22.