Over 2,000 Students and Staff Confirmed COVID-19 Positive... 1,036 Schools Fail to Hold In-Person Classes

Total of 1,718 Students Counted
320 Faculty and Staff Tested Positive

70 Universities Fully Remote
No Fully In-Person Classes Conducted

On the 10th, access control tape was placed around Hongik Cultural Park in Mapo-gu, Seoul. As of midnight on the same day, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters reported 682 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country, bringing the total to 40,098. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Gong Byung-sun] The cumulative number of confirmed COVID-19 cases among students and faculty members has surpassed 2,000 due to the impact of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

According to the Ministry of Education on the 10th, the cumulative number of confirmed student cases increased by 67 from the previous day, totaling 1,718. This figure includes 53 cases as of midnight on the day, 2 cases on the 5th, and 12 cases on the 8th.

Four additional faculty members were confirmed positive, bringing the total cumulative number of confirmed cases among faculty to 320.

As of 10 a.m. on the same day, 1,036 schools across 14 cities and provinces have adjusted to remote classes. This is an increase of 44 schools compared to the previous day. The number of schools switching to remote classes has steadily increased, reaching four digits for the first time in 83 days.

By region, schools that have not allowed students to attend in person include 750 in Seoul, 134 in Ulsan, 106 in Gyeonggi, 12 in Gangwon, 7 in Daejeon, 5 each in Chungbuk and Gyeongnam, 4 in Sejong, 3 each in Incheon, Jeonbuk, and Gyeongbuk, 2 in Busan, and 1 each in Chungnam and Jeonnam.

Universities are also experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases. From the 2nd to the 8th of this month, 154 students and 13 faculty members were confirmed positive. Notably, from September 1 to October 27, 301 students and 48 faculty members were infected, but in the recent three weeks, the numbers increased by 434 students and 41 faculty members.

The number of schools conducting non-face-to-face classes has also increased. The number of universities operating fully remote classes rose by 18 from the 30th of last month, totaling 70 universities. There are no universities conducting fully in-person classes.

A Ministry of Education official stated, "As the situation worsens, we plan to present opinions to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters and adjust quarantine activities accordingly," adding, "Currently, we are encouraging each region to implement stronger quarantine measures independently."

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