Health Authorities: "High Possibility of 'In-School Transmission' Among One Confirmed Elementary Student in Daejeon" (Update)

On the morning of the 2nd, parents and students are waiting in line for COVID-19 testing at Daejeon Cheondong Elementary School in Cheondong, Dong-gu, Daejeon. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] After one student at Cheondong Elementary School in Daejeon tested positive for the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), two classmates were consecutively confirmed positive. The quarantine authorities believe that one was likely infected within the school, while the other was probably infected outside the school.

A representative from the Central Disease Control Headquarters (CDCH) said on the 2nd, "Based on the current epidemiological investigation, it appears that one case is likely a school-acquired infection, and the other is more likely an infection acquired outside the school."

Deputy Director Kwon Jun-wook of the CDCH also stated at the regular briefing that day, "An epidemiological investigation related to Cheondong Elementary School in Daejeon is underway, and the possibility of (in-school infection) is very high. We will clarify the situation once additional checks, including testing of school staff and students, are completed."

According to the quarantine authorities and Daejeon city officials, after a 5th-grade student at Cheondong Elementary School (Daejeon case number 115) was confirmed infected with COVID-19 on the 29th of last month, two other students in the same grade tested positive the following day. Among them, one is a classmate of the first confirmed case, and the other is from a different class.

The same-class student (Daejeon case number 120) reportedly came into contact with the first confirmed student during school attendance from the 22nd to the 24th of last month, according to the quarantine authorities. Both students attended the same academy but at different times, as investigated.

The student from the other class (Daejeon case number 121) had contact with the first confirmed case while attending the same gymnasium. They were known to be close, often visiting each other's homes, providing many opportunities for contact.

If the students transmitted the virus to each other within the school, this would be the first case of in-school infection since the resumption of in-person classes.

Currently, Cheondong Elementary School is conducting comprehensive testing for all students. The CDCH announced that as of midday that day, about 300 people, including students, staff, and academy contacts, were tested with no additional confirmed cases.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.