Noryangjin Teacher Certification Exam Academy Multiple Confirmed Cases... Nationwide Schools Face Cluster Infections 'Emergency'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] A large number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) have emerged at a large teacher certification exam academy in Noryangjin, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, ahead of the middle school teacher certification exam. Cluster outbreaks have occurred nationwide, including in middle and high schools as well as universities, causing health authorities to be on high alert.

On the 20th, the Central Disease Control Headquarters (CDCH) announced that as of 2 p.m. that day, 32 confirmed cases related to the large teacher certification exam academy in Noryangjin had been counted. The CDCH stated, "Testing of exposed individuals is ongoing, so more confirmed cases may emerge."

According to Dongjak-gu, two students attending the Noryangjin academy tested positive for COVID-19 between the 18th and 19th, and as the district office conducted mass testing on about 200 people related to the academy, additional confirmed cases have been occurring.

Cluster infections are also occurring in various parts of Seoul. Related to a high school in Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, after a teacher was first confirmed positive on the 18th, eight additional cases were confirmed during contact tracing, bringing the total confirmed cases to nine. In Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, during contact tracing related to a university, seven additional cases were confirmed, increasing the total to 19, including 15 university students, two family members, one restaurant employee, and one university building visitor.

In Dobong-gu, Seoul, five additional cases were confirmed during contact tracing related to Cheongryeonsa Temple, bringing the total confirmed cases to 29. The confirmed cases include 13 temple followers and 16 family members and acquaintances.

Additional Confirmed Cases Including Medical Staff Emerge at Local Medical Institutions

Regarding a swimming pool in Ansan-si, Gyeonggi Province, five additional cases were confirmed during quarantine, bringing the total confirmed cases to 17. In Namdong-gu, Incheon, 21 additional cases were confirmed during contact tracing related to family and acquaintances, increasing the total confirmed cases to 40. Health authorities believe the initial confirmed case transmitted the virus to family and acquaintances, followed by further spread in restaurants, gatherings, and exam academies.

In Asan-si, Chungnam Province, after the first confirmed case at Sunmoon University on the 18th, 13 additional students tested positive during contact tracing, bringing the total confirmed cases to 14.

In Hadong-gun, Gyeongnam Province, five additional cases were confirmed during contact tracing related to a middle school, bringing the total confirmed cases to 26. In Cheorwon-gun, Gangwon Province, eight additional cases were confirmed during contact tracing related to childcare, bringing the total confirmed cases to 16. In Changwon-si, Gyeongnam Province, after the first patient was confirmed on the 17th related to a social gathering, 22 additional cases were confirmed during contact tracing, bringing the total confirmed cases to 23.

Additional confirmed cases continue to emerge at local medical institutions where cluster infections occurred. In a university hospital in Gwangju Metropolitan City, two additional cases were confirmed during contact tracing, bringing the total confirmed cases to 46. At a university hospital in Iksan-si, Jeonbuk Province, after medical staff were first confirmed positive on the 18th, 10 additional cases were confirmed during contact tracing, bringing the total confirmed cases to 11.

Additionally, in a nursing home for the disabled in Cheorwon-gun, Gangwon Province, 10 additional cases were confirmed during quarantine, increasing the total confirmed cases to 40.

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