Ulsan Office of Education Supports On-site Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Testing at Schools

Ulsan Office of Education.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Hwang Du-yeol] The Ulsan Metropolitan Office of Education supports mobile polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing teams that visit schools to help schools respond quickly to COVID-19 on site.

When confirmed cases occur within schools due to the highly transmissible Omicron variant of COVID-19, contact tracing is conducted by the schools themselves.

The Office of Education has established a rapid and systematic diagnostic testing system in preparation for confirmed cases within schools.

The mobile PCR test involves a specimen collection team visiting the school directly to collect samples from students and staff who were contacts, without requiring them to visit screening clinics. If samples are collected early in the morning, test results can be received as soon as the same day.

The mobile PCR testing will operate until April 29. It may be extended depending on the future situation of confirmed cases.

The Office of Education has entrusted the operation of mobile PCR testing to specialized diagnostic medical institutions.

Three mobile specimen collection teams, each composed of two members, visit schools where confirmed cases have occurred to conduct PCR tests on students and staff who had contact with confirmed cases.

The criteria for contact tracing include members of the same class, residents of the same dormitory room, and students who attended the same after-school care class.

PCR testing is conducted only for those who have given prior consent. To ensure rapid and smooth testing, the mobile specimen teams may also visit neighboring schools to test students and staff there.

Until PCR test results are received, quarantine guidelines must be followed, and the test results are notified via text message by the testing institution. If the result is negative, students may attend school.

The Office of Education has been conducting mobile PCR testing since the 4th of this month. By the 8th, 1,835 students and staff from 16 schools had been tested.

In addition to mobile PCR testing, the Office of Education is distributing rapid antigen test kits to students and staff to support stable school quarantine.

In March, 9 kits per student and 4 kits per staff member are provided.

An official from the Ulsan Metropolitan Office of Education said, “We support mobile PCR testing teams that visit schools where confirmed cases have occurred among students and staff to quickly diagnose whether contacts are infected. We will do our best to minimize confusion at schools and protect students’ right to learn.”

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