Food poisoning outbreak: 5 more children at PCF Sparkletots sick, 1 more centre hit
Childcare centre and pre-school operator PCF said that it will support families who are in need of financial assistance due to the medical expenses incurred in relation to the gastroenteritis outbreak at 13 of its centres.
SINGAPORE — In a latest update by PCF Sparkletots on the gastroenteritis outbreak in its pre-schools due to suspected food poisoning, five more children were reported to have taken ill and two had to get treatment in hospital.
The number of centres affected has also gone up to 13, with the addition of PCF Sparkletots @ Punggol Coast at Block 303A — one more than the 12 reported last week.
Of the 31 children who were hospitalised — including the two from the newest cases — 30 have since been discharged. The last one is in stable condition in hospital, PCF said.
A total of 229 children and 12 staff members had displayed symptoms of vomiting and diarrhoea.
In a statement on Monday (April 1), the childcare centre and pre-school operator said that none of its staff members needed to be hospitalised and “are managing well”.
It added: “We will support families who are in need of financial assistance as a result of the medical expenses incurred in relation to this incident.”
PCF Sparkletots started using catering services from August last year after a pilot scheme was tested, it said.
As at March 20 this year, 35 out of its 356 centres used catering services while the rest have in-house cooks.
The recent food poisoning cases have been linked to food services provider Kate’s Catering and the caterer’s operations have been suspended, pending investigations.
The outbreak was first announced by the Ministry of Health, the National Environment Agency and the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore last Wednesday, with 109 people having fallen ill and 15 taken to the hospital at the time.
As a precautionary measure, PCF has terminated its services with Kate’s Catering since March 26 at all 16 of its centres that have contracts with the caterer.
It also said that it is in close contact with all affected parents and are monitoring their children’s conditions. “Senior management, principals and teachers have also been visiting affected children in hospital and extended help to these families.”
The affected pre-schools are:
PCF Sparkletots @ Sengkang Central Block 210
PCF Sparkletots @ Sengkang Central Block 270
PCF Sparkletots @ Sengkang Central Block 290A
PCF Sparkletots @ Sengkang Central Block 298B
PCF Sparkletots @ Sengkang Central Block 262A
PCF Sparkletots @ Sengkang Central Block 208
PCF Sparkletots @ Sengkang Central Block 231
PCF Sparkletots @ Punggol North
PCF Sparkletots @ Punggol Coast Block 326
PCF Sparkletots @ Punggol Coast Block 303A
PCF Sparkletots @ Paya Lebar Blk 221
PCF Sparkletots @ Toa Payoh Central Block 146A
PCF Sparkletots @ Toa Payoh Central Block 79B
Staff members at these centres have also “intensified the cleaning and disinfection protocols” and heightened emphasis on hygiene practices, PCF said.
“We continue to stay vigilant at all 356 centres, with daily temperature-taking (for the children and staff members) and regular cleaning and disinfection of premises,” PCF added.
“We are deeply concerned about our children and staff, and take this matter very seriously.”
