Kota Kinabalu - At least five more schools were reported closed in the expanding H1N1 alert as we went to press last night.

The schools are SRK Stella Maris, SK St Agnes and SM La Salle, all in Kota Kinabalu, SK Tebobon in Menggatal as well as Yu Yuan Chinese independent school in Sandakan, bringing to 13 the total number of Sabah schools that were closed since the spread of the H1N1.

Yu Yuan officials decided to close their school for one day today (Friday) after four upper secondary students were down with Influenza A.

School principal Susan Ho said the Health Department confirmed that these four students were tested positive and acting on its advice, they applied to the Education Department for a special one-day holiday. She said classes would resume on Monday.

The matter came to light on July 27 when school officials discovered that nearly 10 students failed to turn up for classes and called up their respective parents.

The school then requested the Health Department to conduct a check on their classmates.

"After the four students were confirmed H1N1 sufferers their classmates were allowed to go home early today (Thursday)," Susan added.

Meanwhile, the New Sabah Times learnt that Stella Maris was closed after two pupils - primary two and six - were tested positive for the H1N1 symptoms.

Parents sending their kids to school for the afternoon session were told the school had two confirmed H1N1 cases.

When met at the school, a teacher said the parents were allowed to bring their children home for the day.

"It is a precautionary measure," the teacher said.

Some parents outside the school lamented that the Education Department allowed the school to carry on with its activities despite being aware of the risks involved.

Many Stella Maris pupils were seen covering their noses with handkerchiefs while some covered their mouths and noses with their hands.

Only a few were seen wearing masks.

Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun who is also in charge of education in Sabah, said it was imperative for the Education Department to consider closing schools that were at high risk of being contaminated with the H1N1 virus.

"I think it is necessary to close these schools but it is entirely up to the Education Ministry," he added.

Masidi also advised parents to send their children who were suffering from fever to see a doctor immediately.

-- Courtesy of New Sabah Times

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