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(Editor's note): An earlier version of the story stated that the confirmed cases were likely to be infected near the end of the Circuit Breaker period. The Ministry of Education provided an updated press release to state that the cases were likely infected during the Circuit Breaker period.

Five individuals have tested positive for Covid-19 after the Ministry of Education (MOE) expanded surveillance testing following the end of the Circuit Breaker period.

Four students and one non-teaching staff are confirmed cases. They will be included in the number of community cases in the Ministry of Health's update on June 7.

The five cases are from the following schools:

• Anglican High School
• CHIJ Katong Convent
• CHIJ St. Theresa’s Convent
• Geylang Methodist Secondary School
• Hwa Chong Institution

Since June 2, MOE extended surveillance testing for all school staff and students above the age of 12, whom a doctor diagnosed with acute respiratory infection (ARI) at first presentation instead of prolonged symptoms.

The five cases are not considered a cluster.

Reopened schools unchanged

The arrangements for all schools, including the five affected schools, will remain unchanged.

For this coming week starting on June 8, Primary 1, 2, 3 and 6 students and Secondary 3, 4 and 5 students will attend classes in school.

The remaining levels will be on Home-Based Learning, based on the earlier announced weekly rotation schedule.

Low viral loads for the confirmed cases

All five cases displayed mild symptoms, although they were screened on entry with no fever or visible flu-like symptoms, according to MOE.

Minister for Education Ong Ye Kung said in a press conference on June 7 that the cases did not enter the schools while displaying symptoms. However, after they started developing symptoms, they went to see a doctor.

Three cases displayed an onset of symptoms on June 3. The remaining two cases displayed symptoms on June 2 and May 31.

The student from Hwa Chong Institution was last in school on April 7, before the start of the Circuit Breaker.

Of the other four cases, three were last in school on June 3, while one was last in school on June 2.

Although they tested positive, the tests for all five cases revealed low viral loads.

A repeat test using new samples showed that all five cases were negative. MOE said that this suggests they were likely infected during the Circuit Breaker period, and not after the schools reopened.

Following the confirmation of the cases, the affected schools have been thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. Schools continue to implement safety measures such as safe distancing, mandatory face masks and reduced intermingling of students.

Contact tracing ongoing

Contact tracing and investigations are currently ongoing.

29 staff and 100 students who were in contact with the confirmed cases in school have each been issued with a 14-day Leave of Absence (LOA) by MOE or Home Quarantine Order (HQO) by MOH.

Those who are on HQO will also be swabbed for Covid-19 twice, once before the start of HQO, and once at the end.

Some students on LOA were scheduled to take their Mother Tongue Language examinations on June 18. As their LOA ends on June 17, they can still take the exam.

The Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board will apply special consideration during grading for these students. They can also choose to take the year-end Mother Tongue Language examinations instead.

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Top image from Hwa Chong Institution's Facebook page and Google Maps.