9 Students Infected in Group Outbreak in Same Class at a High School in Hwasun, Jeonnam

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] In a high school in Hwasun, Jeollanam-do, 9 students tested positive for COVID-19, prompting health authorities to conduct comprehensive diagnostic testing of all school members to contain the infection.

According to Jeollanam-do on the 2nd, after one student from a high school in Hwasun tested positive following a symptomatic test in Gwangju the previous day, comprehensive diagnostic testing was conducted on 569 faculty and students of the school.

The test results showed that 8 other students in the same class as the first confirmed case were also infected. Among the 9 confirmed students, 7 were living in the dormitory, and 2 were commuting students.

Additionally, 3 students were found to be on the borderline between positive and negative, and retesting is underway.

Other faculty members tested negative, and all 293 residents of a nursing facility attended by close contacts also tested negative.

Health authorities have prioritized self-quarantine measures for classmates and students who shared movement paths in places such as the cafeteria, and plan to discuss with the school authorities the scope of additional quarantine targets.

In Jeollanam-do, following 22 confirmed cases reported the previous day, 12 additional confirmed cases have occurred as of 1 p.m. today in Yeosu, Suncheon, Naju, and Jangheung.

As of 1 p.m. today, the cumulative number of confirmed cases in Jeollanam-do stands at 3,147, with 2,987 domestic infections and 160 imported cases.