COVID-19 Spread from Daejeon Academies... 9 Schools Affected in 6 Days

A Total of 68 Confirmed Cases... The School Will Switch to Remote Classes Until the 16th

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Gong Byung-sun] Due to the spread of COVID-19 that began in the academy district of Daejeon, schools in the region have been put on high alert for quarantine.

On the 7th, quarantine authorities announced that from the 2nd to the 3rd and up to the 7th, a total of 68 people, including high school students, their friends, family, and acquaintances, tested positive for COVID-19. Among the confirmed cases, 49 are students from 9 middle and high schools, and 1 is a teacher.

The spread of COVID-19 in Daejeon began when two high school students living in Dong-gu and their private academy instructor tested positive. Until the previous day, infections were mainly spreading in schools in Dong-gu and the adjacent Daedeok-gu, but on this day, cases were also reported in schools outside Dong-gu and in Seo-gu. In Yuseong-gu, one confirmed case each was reported in one middle school and one high school.

The Daejeon Office of Education decided to switch the affected schools to remote classes until the 16th and ordered the closure of the academies. Quarantine authorities raised the social distancing level from the current level 1.5 to level 2.

Accordingly, school density measures were adjusted: for elementary and middle schools, attendance is limited to one-third as a principle, but schools with fewer than 600 students can allow up to two-thirds attendance. Schools with 600 to 1,000 students can implement safety measures, and those that have gathered opinions from their members may allow up to two-thirds attendance. Schools with more than 1,000 students must comply with the one-third attendance rule. High schools are to maintain attendance within two-thirds. First and second graders in elementary school are excluded from density restrictions and can attend school daily as before. The principle of daily attendance is also maintained for third-year high school students.

The city education office and education support office formed a joint special inspection team to conduct quarantine inspections at about 3,690 academies and private tutoring centers over three weeks starting from the 8th, focusing on those academies where infections continue to occur. They will pay special attention to the application of quarantine rules according to social distancing levels, including operating hours, personnel limits, disinfection, and ventilation.

Fourteen entrance exam preparation academies and private tutoring centers in the affected areas have been ordered to suspend gatherings until the 16th, and comprehensive disinfection has been requested at academies and tutoring centers located in Gayang-dong.

Seol Dong-ho, Superintendent of Education in Daejeon, stated, "We recognize the current situation seriously and will implement all measures to curb the spread and prevent additional infections," adding, "We will do our best to ensure that students can learn in a safe environment."

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