THREE more schools were ordered closed on Friday by the Health Ministry following outbreaks of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD).

A total of 11 childcare centres and pre-schools have been forced to shut in the last week as health officials look to stem the spread of the common childhood virus.

Another 26 schools have been advised to close voluntarily. This includes 11 schools that were added to the list on Friday.

Cases reported this week hit the 1,000 mark with 1,162 new ones reported between Sunday and 3pm on Friday. Over the last few days, however, the virus has shown signs of slowing down.

While the symptoms of HFMD, a common childhood ailment, are generally mild, health officials have been concerned about a potentially lethal strain, enterovirus 71 (EV71), which was responsible for 19 per cent of this year's cases.

With schools doing their bit to prevent the spread, the onus is now on parents to be responsible for their kids.

'Parents must make sure there is no fever for at least 24 hours and that all the rashes or blisters have dried out before it's safe for the kid to be out,' said Dr Wendy Sinnathamby, a consultant paediatrician at the Children's Medical Institute at National University Hospital. The incubation period for the virus lasts about three to five days. It typically takes between five to seven days for a child to recover fully.

Dr Sinnathamby said that there was no reason for healthy kids to be confined at home.

A Straits Times check at malls and play areas islandwide saw many parents out with their kids.

At VivoCity, more than 10 children were seen horsing around the playground and water fountain.

Read the full report in Saturday's edition of The Straits Times.