Adjustment of School Attendance Days on the 2nd for 522 Schools Nationwide... Gwangju and Daejeon Have the Most

Increase from 47 to 475 Schools in One Day
Gwangju City to Switch to Remote Classes by Tomorrow
"Request for Compliance with Hygiene Rules for Meal Service Workers"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] Due to the impact of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), 522 schools nationwide adjusted their in-person class schedules on the 2nd.

According to the Ministry of Education, the number of schools that adjusted their in-person class days increased by 475 compared to the previous day. Gwangju had the highest number with 438 schools, followed by Daejeon with 70 schools.

Gwangju City has raised its social distancing level to Level 2, and affiliated kindergartens, elementary, middle, high, and special schools in the area will conduct remote classes until tomorrow.

In Daejeon, diagnostic tests were conducted on the relevant grades of elementary schools where confirmed cases were found and on contacts at academies, resulting in 312 negative cases. Screening clinics have been set up in schools to conduct tests for all grades. The Ministry of Education has not yet concluded that these are cases of in-school infection.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education urged adherence to basic hygiene management rules to prevent food poisoning. Through the 25th meeting of the In-Person Class Preparation Promotion Team, it requested each city and provincial education office to strengthen special hygiene and safety education for meal service workers in kindergartens, elementary, and secondary schools, and to respond immediately if suspected food poisoning cases occur.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Yoo Eun-hye is delivering opening remarks at the Deputy Superintendent Meeting of the School Attendance Preparation Support Group held on the 2nd. (Provided by the Ministry of Education)

At Kindergarten A in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province, a mass food poisoning outbreak occurred. As of 6 p.m. the previous day, there were a cumulative 60 confirmed cases of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli infection, and as of the 29th of last month, 16 suspected cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS, also known as hamburger disease), a complication of enterohemorrhagic E. coli, were reported. Among them, three are currently receiving dialysis treatment.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Yoo Eun-hye said, "To prevent cases like the recent one at the Ansan kindergarten, we will closely cooperate with related ministries and local governments to create a safe meal environment in kindergartens and schools, and improve any deficiencies."