New Approach To Tackle HFMD Outbreak In Kindergartens And Childcare

KUCHING, April 5 (Bernama) -- The Sarawak Health Department will be flexible with kindergartens and childcare centre operators following the declining trend in the hand, foot and mouth Disease (HFMD) outbreak.
Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan said that where previously a total closure was required if two or more suspected HFMD cases were detected in these establishments, now they would only have to close the affected classes.
As such, kindergartens and childcare centre operators should give their fullest cooperation to officers from the Sarawak Health Department when they come to their premises for their daily inspections, he told reporters here.
He said the daily inspections should not be viewed as a harassment but as a necessary precaution to avoid another serious outbreak this year.
He said none of the kindergartens that had re-opened since Monday had been re-closed despite one having a confirmed case.
"The confirmed HFMD case was reported in a kindergarten in Sibu but since it involved only one case, the kindergarten is still operational," he said.
Dr Chan said that despite the declining trend, the Sarawak Health Department would continue to monitor the kindergartens, childcare centres and schools in the state until the situation was under control or no more cases were reported.
As for HFMD updates, he said 21 new admissions were reported today compared with 15 yesterday and most of the case were in Miri, followed by Kuching and Sibu.