Coronavirus: 28 positives from test to stay programme in schools (Updated)

The health ministry announced that 28 students tested positive on Thursday after more than 2,000 close contacts got tested as part of the ‘test to stay’ policy in schools.

According to the ministry’s statement, there were some 2,118 tests out of the 3,000 primary and secondary school students who were deemed close contacts who received a rapid test to stay in class.

Of them, 28 tested positive to the virus and will be self-isolating at home.

The remaining students chose not to get tested at school but to self-isolate at home.

The test to stay programme, which was implemented in schools on Monday, will be extended to health professionals in public and private hospitals, police and the fire department, following a cabinet decision on Wednesday.

In schools, the policy for students, regardless of vaccination status, means those who are close contacts will have to undergo a rapid test for a period of seven days through the free testing sites and those operating in schools to attend class.

Alternatively, they may self-isolate at home and carry out a rapid or PCR test on the seventh day.