This is spreading like fire, isn’t it? A 16-year old student and family are the latest victims of coronavirus. Dubai Health Authority tweeted the new yesterday. The student, goes to an Indian school in Dubai and contracted the virus from his parents who travelled overseas.
A 16-year student of an Indian school in Dubai has tested positive for the #coronavirus (#COVID19). The infection was contracted from the student’s parent who had travelled overseas.
— هيئة الصحة بدبي (@DHA_Dubai) March 4, 2020
The DHA is now conducting tests on all staff members and students who may have interacted with the patients. The parent developed symptoms five days after returning to Dubai. Both the student and family members have been quarantined in hospital and are stable and recovering well. All other family members have also been quarantined.
The parent developed symptoms five days after returning to Dubai. Both the student and family members have been quarantined in hospital and are stable and recovering well. All other family members have also been quarantined.
— هيئة الصحة بدبي (@DHA_Dubai) March 4, 2020
Meanwhile the school is being sanitized and DHA is also taking stringent precautionary measures to curb the rapid spread of the virus.
Within the framework of comprehensive preventive measures against the spread of #coronavirus, Dubai Health Authority (DHA) is conducting tests and monitoring the students, staff and workers of the school that may have interacted with the coronavirus patient.
— هيئة الصحة بدبي (@DHA_Dubai) March 4, 2020
In addition, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority has issued instructions for classes in the school to be suspended. The school is being sanitised as per international best practices in preventive measures against the coronavirus.
In coordination with the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (@KHDA ), we have issued instructions for classes in the school to be suspended. The school is being sanitised as per international best practices in preventive measures against the #coronavirus.
— هيئة الصحة بدبي (@DHA_Dubai) March 4, 2020
The UAE Ministry of Education announced late last night that both public and private schools, colleges and universities will be closed from 8 March. Schools and colleges will start their spring break early this year, due to the increasing threat of the coronavirus. The spring break which was scheduled to begin from March 29 until April 12, will now begin early on.
What Else?
The Ministry also stressed that the decision comes as a pro-active measure in safe guarding the students. During the four week break, schools, colleges and universities will undergo a sterilisation programme. As part of the program, schools will conduct disinfection and clean-up of premises, amenities within the campus and school buses.
#عاجل_وام | التربية تعلن تقديم إجازة الربيع للمدارس والعمل بمبادرة #التعلم_عن_بعد.. و تعطيل طلبة المدارس و مؤسسات #التعليم_العالي بدءاً من الأحد المقبل و لمدة 4 أسابيع وإطلاق برنامج التعقيم للمنشآت التعليمية. pic.twitter.com/G8cyX2fyzE
— وكالة أنباء الإمارات (@wamnews) March 3, 2020
Besides, the ministry has also announced a distance learning initiative, ensuring learning continues at home. Schools will continue to enable teaching through tools such as Google Classroom, ClassDojo and Seesaw. During this period, parents are requested to provide a conducive learning environment, by enabling access to internet, gadgets for remote education, and encourage students to make use of the time, so they can complete tutorials.
Government schools will also run a home teaching programme called ‘Learn from Afar’ from March 22 to April 5.