Indian school student in Dubai tests positive for coronavirus

A 16-year-old student of an Indian school in Dubai has tested positive for the coronavirus Covid-19, the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) confirmed on Wednesday.

The infection was contracted from the student’s parent who had travelled overseas, it said in a statement.

“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 DHA said.

The authority confirmed that it is conducting tests and monitoring the students, staff and workers of the school who may have interacted with the coronavirus patient.

“DHA has adopted stringent pro-active precautionary measures to ensure the health, safety and well-being of all students of the school and their families. 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,” it added.

The name of the school was not disclosed.

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

“DHA is working closely with the Ministry of Health and other authorities and stakeholders to take counter measures against the disease in accordance with World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendations and standards,” the statement added.

On Wednesday, the UAE’s ministry of Education declared that all schools and universities across the country – including private and public schools – will be closed for four weeks beginning from Sunday, March 8.

The move comes as a precautionary measure to contain the spread of coronavirus, and during this period all schools will be sterilised.

Read: Schools, colleges in the UAE to close for four weeks from March 8