"What's Wrong with Our Child?" New Coronavirus Hits Daycare, Moms' Cafes Express Shock and Anxiety

7th Confirmed Patient Contact: Childcare Teachers at Suwon and Anyang Daycare Centers
Test Results Negative... Mom Cafes Express Relief, Confusion, and Anxiety

A daycare center. The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] Childcare teachers at daycare centers in Suwon and Anyang, who were confirmed to have been in contact with the 7th confirmed domestic case of the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia), all tested negative. It was also reported that they showed no respiratory symptoms such as fever.

However, parents still cannot shake off their anxiety. Although the teachers tested negative, the children may have had close contact with these teachers.

Parents are sharing news related to the novel coronavirus in real-time through mom cafe bulletin boards and are on high alert.

Suwon City and Anyang City announced that childcare teachers working at the municipal Kumho Eoullim Daycare Center in Homaesil-dong, Gwonseon-gu, and the Jayeon Daycare Center in Seoksu-dong, Manan-gu, who were classified as suspected novel coronavirus patients on the 31st of last month, tested negative according to the Gyeonggi-do Institute of Health and Environment.

The two childcare teachers are sisters in their late 20s residing in Uiwang City and are known to be cousins of the 7th confirmed patient. They reportedly spent time together having a meal from 8 PM on the 24th until around 10 AM the next day during the Lunar New Year holiday.

The teachers are currently reported to have no symptoms of pneumonia infection such as fever or respiratory symptoms. However, they are scheduled to self-quarantine until mid-February as a precautionary measure.

Contacts at Suwon Kumho Daycare Center include the director, 9 staff members, and 19 children including infants out of a total of 30 enrolled children.

At Anyang Jayeon Daycare Center, 130 children and 17 childcare staff have been living. The daycare centers where they worked will remain closed until February 6.

Amid the spreading fear of the novel coronavirus infection known as 'Wuhan pneumonia,' students wearing masks are leaving school on their way home at an elementary school in Seoul on the 28th of last month.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Given the situation, the number of parents expressing anxiety, especially on mom cafes, is increasing. One mom cafe member said, "Infants have significantly weaker immunity compared to adults," and expressed, "I am really worried."

Another parent said, "The daycare teachers themselves must be going through a lot of distress," and emphasized, "Right now, the important thing is not to catch pneumonia. It seems meaningless to blame anyone."

Another parent said, "They tested negative. That's really a relief," but also expressed concern, "I hope the children were not infected."

Meanwhile, the 7th confirmed patient entered the country through Incheon Airport at around 10:20 PM on the 23rd of last month, traveling from Wuhan, China via Qingdao.

After returning, the patient felt cold symptoms and reported to the health center on the 29th when fever, cough, and sputum symptoms became clear. On the afternoon of the 30th, the patient was confirmed positive for the novel coronavirus and was isolated at Seoul Medical Center.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.