GEORGE TOWN: Influenza cases in Penang have vastly improved with the decline in the number of students infected with the disease.
State Education Department director Abdul Rashid Abdul Samad said, as of Friday evening, the number of students infected had dropped to 133 cases, from 198 cases previously.
He said 65 students had ended their quarantine period and returned to school today.
"The two classes at SJKC Li Hwa, Butterworth, which were closed for disinfection works, had also reopened today.
"We can see that the trend of cases are coming down," he said when met after he visited Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Jelutong Barat to monitor the first day of the Free Breakfast Programme here today.
He said that only one classroom remain closed — a pre-school class at SK Pinang Tunggal.
He thanked all quarters, including the Civil Defence Department (JPAM), which came to schools and distributed face masks for the students.
"We reminded all students to continue to take care of their health and cleanliness, wash their hands frequently to stay in good health," he added.
Meanwhile, seven teachers were also reportedly down with influenza.
The state health department is monitoring influenza cases by using the influenza-like illnesses (ILI) proxy indicator recorded from the selected sentinel clinics in the state.