Singapore Polytechnic student tests positive for COVID-19; all lectures and tutorials moved online

SINGAPORE: A Singapore Polytechnic (SP) pupil has examined optimistic for COVID-19, as the varsity introduced that it's going to transfer all lectures and tutorials on-line from Monday (Could 17).

The 18-year-old Singaporean developed a fever, cough and headache on Could 13 and visited a clinic the following day the place he was examined for COVID-19, stated the Ministry of Well being (MOH). His outcome got here again optimistic on Could 15.

The Yr 2 pupil from the Media, Arts and Design faculty was asymptomatic when he was final on campus on Could 11, stated an SP spokesperson.

“We have been in touch with our student to provide the necessary support. The areas of the campus that the student visited have been thoroughly cleaned and disinfected,” the spokesperson stated.

College students and employees members who had been in shut contact with the scholar on Could 11, together with his classmates, have been issued quarantine orders, the spokesperson added.

“We have advised the students concerned to monitor their health closely and will give them our fullest support to ensure that there is minimal impact to their learning through home-based learning,” stated the spokesperson.

As a "further precautionary measure", from Could 17 to Could 28, labs and sensible courses for all Yr 2 college students from the Media, Arts and Design faculty can be performed on-line the place appropriate or deferred till a later date.

READ: COVID-19: Major, secondary colleges and JCs to maneuver to full home-based studying from Could 19

In keeping with MOH, the scholar additionally works part-time at Star Arts situated at Westgate.

ALL LECTURES, TUTORIALS ONLINE

SP will even conduct all lectures and tutorials on-line till the top of Section 2 (Heightened Alert), stated the spokesperson. Essential labs, sensible classes and final-year initiatives can be performed in-person with secure administration measures in place.

All major and secondary colleges, in addition to junior schools and Millennia Institute, will shift to full home-based studying from Wednesday till the top of the time period on Could 28, amid an increase in COVID-19 neighborhood instances in Singapore, introduced Minister for Training Chan Chun Sing on Sunday night.

Institutes of upper studying will cut back attendance on campus by changing extra courses on-line the place attainable, aside from important in-person classes like labs, practicals and final-year initiatives, he added.

"The safety and well-being of our students and staff are of utmost importance to SP," stated the polytechnic's spokesperson.

READ: 38 new neighborhood COVID-19 instances in Singapore, highest in additional than a 12 months

Singapore reported 38 new neighborhood instances of COVID-19 as of midday on Sunday. That is the highest variety of neighborhood instances reported since Apr 14, 2020, when 40 neighborhood infections had been reported.

Sunday additionally marks the primary day of Section 2 (Heightened Alert) measures rolled out throughout the nation, together with the suspension of dining-in at meals and beverage shops and the discount of group sizes from 5 to 2.