Rapid Diagnostic Testing for Suspected Symptomatic Individuals in Schools... Ministry of Education and KDCA Consultation

Deputy Prime Minister Yoo Eun-hye Holds Video Conference with Director Jeong Eun-gyeong
"No Secondary Transmission Through Schools, But Not a Situation to Relax"

Discussion on Revising Self-Diagnosis Items and Managing Restraint on Use of Multi-Use Facilities

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Yoo Eun-hye held a video conference with Jung Eun-kyung, head of the Central Disease Control Headquarters, on the 31st. (Provided by the Ministry of Education)

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] During the month of June, if suspicious symptoms occur on school premises, students will be able to promptly receive diagnostic testing for the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

The Ministry of Education announced that Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Yoo Eun-hye discussed this matter with Jung Eun-kyung, head of the Central Disease Control Headquarters, in a video conference on the 31st.

So far, there have been no secondary transmissions through infections within schools, but both Deputy Prime Minister Yoo and Director Jung agreed on the need for monitoring related to the onset of symptoms during the two-week incubation period. In particular, they judged that the situation is not reassuring as localized cluster infections continue due to the Coupang logistics center in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, religious gatherings, and infections persist in multi-use facilities such as private academies and PC rooms.

Accordingly, the Central Disease Control Headquarters revised the COVID-19 response guidelines to align the examples of clinical symptoms with the daily self-diagnosis checklist used at home, aiming to improve the classification of suspected cases and the effectiveness of testing at screening clinics. Previously, clinical symptoms included cough, sore throat, difficulty breathing, diarrhea, nausea, and loss of taste or smell; going forward, diarrhea and nausea will be removed from the list, while chills, muscle pain, headache, and loss of smell and taste will be added.

Deputy Prime Minister Yoo and Director Jung also agreed to strengthen management by producing and distributing 'Guidelines for Compliance with Self-Quarantine and Behavioral Instructions' to suspected patients on school premises who have been tested at screening clinics, advising them to avoid using multi-use facilities such as PC rooms and billiard halls.