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A novel coronavirus screening clinic. (Hankyoreh archives)

Several students returning from study abroad in the US, Europe, and elsewhere are testing positive for COVIDF-19, the disease resulting from the novel coronavirus.

On Mar. 17, the city of Seongnam in Gyeonggi Province announced, “A 23-year-old student from the US living in the Gumi neighborhood of Seongnam’s Bundang District entered quarantine treatment after being diagnosed with the coronavirus at 2 pm today at the Gangseo District public health center in Seoul.”

The student in question had begun experiencing fever and other symptoms of coronavirus infection while in Philadelphia on Mar. 9 and tested positive after undergoing voluntary testing upon arriving at Incheon International Airport on the afternoon of Mar. 16.

Earlier the same day, the city of Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, announced, “A student in their 20s (residing in the Hwajeong neighborhood of Goyang’s Deogyang District) who had returned from study abroad in the Netherlands tested positive for the coronavirus.” The student, identified by the initial “K,” had departed for study in the Netherlands in late January and left the Netherlands on Mar. 14 to arrive at Incheon Airport on Mar. 15. While living in a dormitory in the Netherlands, K began experiencing sore throat symptoms on Mar. 9. Upon arrival at Incheon Airport, K showed a slight fever of 37.6 degrees and was isolated in quarantine facilities. Following a positive coronavirus diagnosis on Mar. 16, the student was admitted to Incheon Medical center. K reportedly wore a face mask for the duration of their flight.

Goyang has experienced a number of positive diagnoses involving students in their 20s studying abroad. Its 13th diagnosed patient on Mar. 15 was a male in his 20s who had returned from studying in Italy.

By Kim Gi-seong, South Gyeonggi correspondent

Please direct comments or questions to [english@hani.co.kr]