Health Ministry permanent secretary Dr James Fong says a student who was flagged for having COVID-like symptoms which was highlighted in the media, may not have COVID-19.
“Our initial findings suggest that this was a historical case and that the symptoms are unlikely to be related to COVID-19,” he said in a virus update for the 48 hours to 8am last Friday where he announced 45 new cases.
“We further confirm that no urgent measures were required immediately.
“A more comprehensive report will be released once investigations are complete. Dr Fong said COVID-19 posed a lower risk to children, however, secondary transmission from young school-age children could occur in both household and school settings.
“As school reopening continues, we will expect to find children with COVID-19 symptoms who will test positive.”
He said in those instances, an initial investigation would involve establishing whether the test reflected an old infection wherein the student was not infectious or a recently acquired infectious case.
Dr Fong said they would conduct a review of the school COVID-safe conditions and initiate contact tracing investigations which would include immediate swabbing of high-risk contacts.
“Further actions will be dictated by the findings of this investigatory process.”
