First On-Campus COVID-19 Infection in Gwangju Ahead of Suneung... Education Authorities Tighten School Quarantine Measures

On the morning of the 26th, students are lining up to receive COVID-19 diagnostic tests at a screening clinic installed at Seoseok Middle School in Seo-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City. Photo by Yoon Jamin

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Gwan-woo] One week before the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT), the spread of infections within schools is intensifying. In Gwangju Metropolitan City, the first case of in-school infection has emerged, putting the education authorities on high alert.

On the 26th, the government issued a "Public Appeal One Week Before the CSAT," pleading, "Please temporarily halt all routine social activities until the CSAT day."

According to the Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education, after a first-year student at Sangil Middle School in Seo-gu (Gwangju case number 635) tested positive on the 25th, a full survey conducted among first and third-year students found another positive case in the same class (Gwangju case number 646). This marks the first in-school infection in Gwangju.

The infection route of case 635 remains unknown.

On the same day, three family members of case 635 also tested positive, which triggered an emergency at Seoseok Middle School in Seo-gu, attended by his older brother (Gwangju case number 642). The quarantine authorities conducted a full survey of students and staff at this school.

From early this month until now, a total of 13 students in the Gwangju area have tested positive. Among the confirmed cases, there are currently no third-year high school students preparing for the CSAT.

The Office of Education has begun installing desk partitions at test sites in schools where the CSAT will be held, while awaiting the results of the investigations.

An official from the Office of Education said, "The academic schedules of the two schools with confirmed cases will be decided and announced once the results are available. For now, we ask everyone to strictly follow daily quarantine guidelines and, with only a week left until the CSAT, to maintain social distancing at home as much as possible."

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