South Korea stated that it would escalate COVID-19 testing at schools after a steep rise in infections among children, weeks ahead of full reopening of schools.

The rise in cases came as new social distancing rules aiming at a gradual return to normal came into effect. South Korea has fully vaccinated around 90% of its adults. The country started vaccinating children aged 12 to 17 years in recent weeks. Only 0.6% of this age group has received both vaccine doses thus far.

The government intends to expand the use of portable polymerase chain reaction (PCR) diagnostic tests in schools in Seoul and adjoining regions. The country is planning to fully reopen schools nationwide from November 22… (Reuters, November 3, 2021)