Covid-19: 6-year-old among cases linked to PCF Fengshan cluster; attends different centre

SINGAPORE — A six-year-old is among the five new Covid-19 cases linked to the PCF Sparkletots preschool at Fengshan, the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) said.

The child is enrolled at Persatuan Pemudi Islam Singapura (PPIS) Child Development Centre at Bedok Reservoir, ECDA said in a statement on Friday (March 27). The gender of the child was not stated.

On Friday, the Ministry of Health announced five new cases linked to the PCF Sparkletots at Fengshan, located in Bedok North, bringing the total number at the cluster to 25 confirmed cases. It is the second largest cluster here after the Safra Jurong cluster, where people attended a dinner event on Feb 15.

Sixteen of the cases are staff members at the Sparkletots preschool, and nine are family members of Case 601, a 47-year-old principal of the preschool.

ECDA, which regulates preschools here, said that of the five new cases linked to the cluster, one is a non-teaching staff member at PCF Sparkletots who had earlier been placed on quarantine.

The other four cases are family members of Case 521, a 37-year-old Singaporean woman who tested positive for the virus on March 23, and who is a family member of the principal.

The six-year-old child was last at PPIS Centre on March 11 and was well then, ECDA said.

It added that as the child’s last contact with PPIS Centre was 15 days before being tested positive, the centre is not required to close for 14 days.

“The PPIS Centre had earlier conducted a cleaning and disinfection of its premises on March 25.

“As an added precaution, the centre will close tomorrow on Saturday, March 28, for a further round of cleaning and disinfection. Barring any new developments, the PPIS Centre will resume operations on Monday, March 30,” ECDA said.

The agency added that PPIS Centre has implemented a series of enhanced precautionary measures over the past few months, including increased frequency of temperature screening, ensuring personal and environmental hygiene practices among children and employees, as well as restricting visitors and suspending large group activities.

The centre is closely monitoring the health of its staff members and children.

EDCA said that it is working with both preschool centres to closely monitor the situation.

It reminded preschools here to be vigilant when conducting health checks and to observe high standards of personal and environmental hygiene.