Yeosu, Emergency Due to Explosive Spread of COVID-19

66 Students After the 13th, Frontline Schools Switch to Remote Classes Until the 26th

[Yeosu=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Sim Kyung-taek] COVID-19 confirmed cases are explosively increasing in the Jeonnam Yeosu area, centered around schools, putting quarantine authorities on high alert.

According to Yeosu City on the 19th, 22 new COVID-19 cases were reported as of midnight on the 18th, bringing the total cumulative cases in the region to 739.

In particular, the virus is rapidly spreading throughout the local community, mainly among students of elementary schools and their families.

As COVID-19 spreads rapidly, Yeosu City held an emergency briefing on the 18th and requested the Yeosu Office of Education to switch entirely to remote classes.

According to quarantine authorities, in the past three days, 24 cases were confirmed in eight schools within the district, including 18 elementary students and 6 middle school students.

With the rapid spread of COVID-19 infections, frontline schools switched to full online classes starting on the 19th, and academies and daycare centers also quickly closed.

Currently, Yeosu City's COVID-19 vaccination completion rate is 78.87%, but the vaccination rate for children and adolescents aged 12 to 17 is only 46.4% for the first dose and 14.7% for full vaccination.

Lee Ju-ri, head of the health center, urged, "Since children under 12, including infants, cannot receive the vaccine, please refrain from going out if symptoms appear and have all family members get tested immediately."

She added, "Daycare centers and kindergartens should strengthen access control for outsiders, especially the unvaccinated, and thoroughly ventilate indoors and disinfect for quarantine."

Meanwhile, since the phased return to normal life began on November 1, Yeosu City had only sporadic infections averaging 1.16 cases per day until the 12th, but cases surged after the 13th, with 14 on the 13th, 7 on the 14th, 7 on the 16th, 15 on the 17th, and 22 as of midnight on the 18th, totaling 66 cases since the 13th.

Yeosu=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Sim Kyung-taek simkt7@asiae.co.kr

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