PCR tests were conducted on students of Ananda College, Colombo after a school teacher tested positive for COVID-19, Public Health Inspectors' (PHI) Union Secretary M. Balasuriya said today.

He told the Daily Mirror that attempts were being made to trace the contacts of the male teacher who was a hosteller.

Meanwhile, a spokesman from the school said only Grade seven students were advised not to attend classes while no decision had been taken to close the school.

"PCR tests were conducted on the hostel students," he said.

A senior official from the Health Authorities said the teacher was on leave and had visited his home in Kuliyapitiya on March 25. He was down with flu the following day. The teacher had told health officials that he assumed the symptoms were due to dengue fever, as there were two schoolchildren suffering from dengue in school.

However, the teacher was hospitalised to receive treatment for dengue. A PCR test taken at the hospital on March 28 had come out positive and was transferred to the Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH). The health official said the teacher was tested positive for dengue as well.

He said nine of his colleagues who had closely associated with him have been sent for quarantine. PCR tests were conducted on about 75 students including 15 Advanced Level students.

“The students who had undergone PCR tests, have been advised to serve quarantine in the school hostel. The students who had gone home, have been advised to return to school while moves are underway to locate and advise the students and their families about the mandatory quarantine process.," the official said. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)