Haenam-gun Implements Comprehensive Testing for Daycare Centers and Elementary to High Schools

A comprehensive inspection is being conducted on local daycare centers, kindergartens, and elementary, middle, and high schools. ⓒ Asia Economy

[Haenam＝Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Hyun] Jeonnam Haenam-gun announced that due to a large number of COVID-19 cases among children attending local daycare centers, comprehensive testing will be conducted on all daycare centers, kindergartens, and elementary, middle, and high schools in the area starting from the 20th.

On the 19th, a total of 9 confirmed cases were reported, including 7 people from 4 families, among them 3 children attending a daycare center in Munnae-myeon.

On the 20th, 6 additional cases were confirmed, including 2 children and 1 teacher from a daycare center in Haenam-eup, and 1 child from a daycare center in Munnae-myeon, showing signs of spreading mainly among unvaccinated children and adolescents.

Accordingly, the county decided to conduct COVID-19 diagnostic testing for all staff and workers at daycare centers, kindergartens, and elementary, middle, and high schools in the area to quickly block the spread of COVID-19 and prevent community infection.

The targets include 266 childcare teachers at 23 daycare centers, approximately 5,170 students and staff at 6 elementary, middle, and high schools, with temporary screening clinics operated by Haenam-gun Public Health Center and administrative personnel.

After diagnostic testing of all staff and children at the daycare center in Munnae-myeon, quarantine measures were implemented until the 27th, and comprehensive testing was also conducted for workers, families, and children at the daycare center in Haenam-eup where cases occurred.

County Governor Myung Hyun-gwan convened an emergency meeting on the 19th with all department heads and town mayors to prepare sector-specific measures and issued a public appeal urging a temporary pause in daily life recovery due to strengthened year-end and New Year quarantine rules.

He also expressed serious concern about the spread of COVID-19 among unvaccinated children and adolescents, canceled the weekly executive meeting on the 20th, and conducted on-site inspections of temporary testing sites.

Governor Myung stated, “To block the spread of COVID-19 early and overcome this crisis, we ask residents whose movement paths overlap to cooperate by undergoing preemptive diagnostic testing regardless of symptoms.”

Haenam＝Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Hyun kh0424@asiae.co.kr