34 Confirmed Cases Increase at a High School in Gangbuk, Seoul... PCR Tests Conducted at 13 Nearby Schools

As of 4 PM, 2 additional confirmed cases among 1st and 2nd-year high school students... 4 new cases today
From the 2nd to the 11th, mobile testing teams deployed to 13 schools within a 1km radius

On the 25th, as the spread of COVID-19 continues, medical staff are busy working next to a portable air conditioner at a temporary screening clinic set up in Seoul Station Plaza. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases at a high school in Gangbuk-gu, Seoul has increased to 34. The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education has decided to conduct mobile specimen collection team polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests at nearby schools starting tomorrow.

According to the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education on the 1st, as of 4 p.m., one additional confirmed case was reported among first-year and second-year high school students each. Following the addition of one confirmed case each among second- and third-year students as of 10 a.m., two more cases were added in the afternoon. The infection, which began with third-year students, has spread to first- and second-year students.

Since one third-year student was first confirmed positive on the 30th of last month, 29 more tested positive on the 31st, and a total of four were confirmed on the 1st alone.

By the afternoon of the same day, a total of 1,036 people had been tested, with 313 testing negative. A total of 689 people are awaiting test results.

The school will conduct remote classes for all grades from the 31st until June 14th. Since most of the confirmed cases are third-year students, the mock College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) organized by the Korea Institute for Curriculum and Evaluation on the 3rd will be held entirely online.

Testing was also conducted at a nearby middle school adjacent to the school where cases were confirmed. Among 329 students, 328 tested negative and one is still undergoing testing. All 47 faculty and staff members tested negative.

The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education will conduct mobile specimen collection team PCR tests from the 2nd to the 11th for schools within a 1 km radius where confirmed cases have occurred, schools requiring preemptive testing, and schools requesting testing. Students, faculty, and circulating staff from nearby schools can receive tests.

Within the nearby area (within a 1 km radius), there are a total of 13 schools, including 4 kindergartens, 3 elementary schools, 1 high school, and 2 special schools. The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education plans to conduct tests for approximately 5,700 students and staff in the nearby schools.

Additionally, on the morning of the 2nd, a joint countermeasure meeting will be held with Seoul Superintendent of Education Cho Hee-yeon, the Gangbuk-gu District Mayor, and the Director of the Gangbuk-gu Public Health Center to discuss measures to minimize further transmission.

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