Two dormitory students from Region One have tested positive for COVID-19
The students are from schools in Mabaruma and Port Kaituma, Ministry of Health spokesperson Daniel Singh disclosed yesterday.
With this latest disclosure, the total number of dorm-resident students who have tested positive for COVID-19 stands at 12. Ten students were confirmed as having tested positive last week.
Singh also said that contact tracing protocols have commenced and the positive cases were placed in isolation at a public facility.
The Ministry of Health is currently testing all CXC-level students who attend secondary schools with dormitories as they have been asked to return to classrooms to complete the curriculum.
With eight of the positive cases being from Pre-sident’s College, Minister of Education Priya Manickchand has asked that the non-resident students either take up places in the dormitories or transfer to a school in their res-pective catchment areas. The parents of these children were given up to Friday last to make their decision.
Manickchand explained that the request is being made to ensure that students staying in the dorms are not exposed to the virus.
Yesterday Manickchand told Stabroek News that the majority of the students have since become dorm-resident, while a very small amount will be transferred. She also reminded that the decision to send students back to school was entirely up to the parents and that should they refuse to send their children back to school there would be no adverse impact on them.
Schools have been permitted to reopen for face-to-face classes for secondary students who are due to sit regional exams during the current school year. Strict protocols have been instituted to ensure that students and teachers are safe during their interactions. The ministry has also taken the initiative to equip schools with sinks and care packages for both teachers and students.
