More PCF Sparkletots outlets hit by food poisoning

SINGAPORE — Another five PCF Sparkletots outlets have been hit by the gastroenteritis outbreak, the childcare centre operator said in a statement on Friday (March 29), making it 12 in total that have been affected so far.

Across all 12 schools, there were 222 reported cases involving children and staff members as of 4pm on Friday. Of these, 25 cases required hospitalisation, with 11 already discharged.

The rest are in stable condition, the childcare centre operator said.

The 12 affected schools are:

1. PCF Sparkletots @ Sengkang Central Block 210
2. PCF Sparkletots @ Sengkang Central Block 270
3. PCF Sparkletots @ Sengkang Central Block 290A
4. PCF Sparkletots @ Sengkang Central Block 298B
5. PCF Sparkletots @ Punggol North
6. PCF Sparkletots @ Sengkang Central Block 262A
7. PCF Sparkletots @ Sengkang Central Block 208
8. PCF Sparkletots @ Sengkang Central Block 231
9. PCF Sparkletots @ Punggol Coast Block 326
10. PCF Sparkletots @ Paya Lebar Block 221
11. PCF Sparkletots @ Toa Payoh Central Block 146A
12. PCF Sparkletots @ Toa Payoh Central Block 79B

All 12 pre-schools listed used the services of Kate’s Catering.

“Together with the principals and teachers, my senior management and I have been visiting affected children in hospitals and extending as much help as we can to these families,” said PCF chief executive officer Victor Bay.

“The children who are still in hospital currently are in stable condition and we look forward to welcoming them back to school eventually.”

The Ministry of Health, the National Environment Agency and the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore said in a joint statement on Wednesday that 109 people had fallen ill, with 15 taken to the hospital.

A day later, it was reported that seven pre-schools were hit by gastroenteritis, up from the previously reported four pre-schools in Sengkang Central. More than 100 children were affected.

The outbreak was traced to food prepared by Kate’s Catering, which has had its operations suspended since Tuesday. It is undergoing investigation.

“Temporary food arrangements have already been made to provide meals from an in-house cook with the requisite certification or from other NEA-certified food caterers,” PCF said.