6 Additional COVID-19 Cases Confirmed Among High School Seniors in Suncheon

Major quarantine measures following the escalation of social distancing levels. Photo by Ministry of Health and Welfare

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Jun-kyung] Following the confirmation of COVID-19 infections in five students in Suncheon, Jeollanam-do, an additional high school senior has tested positive for the virus, heightening tensions among education authorities.

According to the Suncheon Office of Education on the 20th, a male student identified as A, who attends a high school in Suncheon, tested positive for COVID-19 the previous day and was classified as Jeonnam case number 320 (Suncheon case number 137).

Student A attended school on the 16th and 17th, and on the 18th, without fever symptoms, visited a hospital with mild cold symptoms where he was confirmed to be infected with COVID-19.

Health authorities have set up a temporary screening clinic on campus and are conducting tests on approximately 570 students and staff members of the school.

The school has suspended in-person classes for all students and switched entirely to online learning while conducting disinfection measures on campus. Student A is expected to take the college entrance exam either at a community care center or hospital.

The source of infection for the confirmed case has not yet been identified, and epidemiological investigations are underway to trace movements, contacts, and infection routes.

A representative from the Suncheon Office of Education stated, “The situation is serious enough for Suncheon to be raised to level 2. Following one kindergarten student and four elementary students, a high school senior has also tested positive, so we cannot let our guard down. All schools with confirmed cases have switched to remote learning.”

Meanwhile, the Suncheon Office of Education plans to reduce in-person attendance to one-third at all levels of schools in response to Suncheon City’s elevation to social distancing level 2, the first among local governments nationwide, and will operate according to the education authorities’ decisions.

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