Jeonnam Provincial Office of Education, Emergency Declared as COVID-19 Confirmed in Gwangyang High School Teacher

Former Jeonnam Provincial Superintendent of Education Lee Gi-bong held a joint briefing with Jeonnam Deputy Governor Song Sang-rak in the briefing room on the 4th floor of the Jeonnam Provincial Government Office. Photo by Jeonnam Office of Education

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Jun-kyung] The Jeonnam Provincial Office of Education is on high alert for quarantine measures after the 14th confirmed case of COVID-19 among Jeonnam students and staff occurred.

According to the Jeonnam Provincial Office of Education on the 10th, a teacher A at Gwangyang High School (Jeonnam case number 198), classified as a close contact of Jeonnam case number 197, a woman in her 20s living in Suncheon, was confirmed positive for COVID-19 yesterday.

It was confirmed that before being diagnosed, teacher A attended classes for three first-year classes at Gwangyang High School, after-school classes, and elective classes for two third-year classes.

Accordingly, on the 10th, the Office of Education had all 573 students and staff of Gwangyang High School undergo diagnostic testing at a screening clinic set up in the parking lot at the entrance of the Gwangyang Indoor Gymnasium.

Also, the entire first-year at the school switched to remote classes from the 10th to the 23rd, while second and third years continued normal in-person classes, except for 15 third-year students who had contact with the confirmed teacher and were placed under self-quarantine.

Earlier in the afternoon of the previous day, nighttime self-study at Gwangyang High School was suspended, all students were sent home, and emergency disinfection was conducted.

Regarding this, Lee Ki-bong, Deputy Superintendent of Jeonnam Provincial Office of Education, held a joint briefing with Song Sang-rak, Deputy Governor of Jeonnam Province, at the briefing room on the 4th floor of Jeonnam Provincial Office on the afternoon of the 10th, stating that they will do their best to prevent further spread of infection.

Deputy Superintendent Lee said, “We will strengthen cooperation with related organizations such as Jeonnam Province and the local community to block additional infections,” and added, “Especially, we will make every effort in quarantine and health management of examinees to safely conduct the college entrance exam (Suneung) which is about 20 days away.”

He continued, “We repeatedly ask parents to have their children rest at home if they show suspected symptoms of COVID-19 such as mild fever, and to refrain from going out.”