HK schools gear up for surging influenza pandemic
發佈日期: 2025-10-21 23:45
TVB News
Since the start of the academic year in September, at least 550 influenza cases have been reported in schools, with nearly 300 of them occurring in elementary schools.
A primary school in Kowloon has stepped up efforts to mitigate the spread of colds when students head back to class.
It's that time of year again -- when many students go back to in-person learning, parents and school administrators have to deal with infectious diseases.
The city logged 556 school flu cases since the new school year began in September, with more than a half coming from primary schools.
In face of this, infection-control measures are put in place in this elementary school.
After school, janitors are cleaning classrooms with 1 in 49 diluted bleach.
Polly Chan, Yaumati Catholic Primary School (Hoi Wang Road) said, "If more than three students in a class have symptoms, such as coughing, fever and sore throat that means the class may have a spead of virus. We will use some cleaning methods to solve those problems."
When students with viruses on their hands touch buttons or other frequently-handled surfaces, those viruses might be able to transfer to other kids' handsvwhen they touch them minutes or hours later.
Chan said, "A few parents will concern about that. As they will worry if their children may be affected by the flu. So they will ask the school to ask other students to wear masks."
On top of that, thermal imaging cameras are installed to help spot sick students as they enter the school.
Meanwhile, the authorities called on residents to get vaccinated early.
As of now, some 2,300 schools have taken part in the outreach programme. 94 percent of them have scheduled to complete the vaccinations by the end of November.
