Cluster Infections at Gimcheon, Paju, and Gwangju High Schools... Average Daily Student Confirmed Cases 162

Weekly Student COVID-19 Cases, Second Highest Following Last Week (162.4 Cases)
Proactive PCR Testing Conducted in Seoul, Busan, Gyeongnam, Gyeonggi, Gangwon, and Incheon

On the 25th, when 2,155 new COVID-19 cases were reported, marking the second highest number ever, citizens visiting the temporary screening clinic set up at Seoul Station Plaza were waiting to get tested. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] Although the second semester has started, the number of confirmed student cases shows no signs of declining. Cluster infections have occurred in schools nationwide.

According to the Ministry of Education on the 26th, from the 19th to the 25th, the number of COVID-19 confirmed cases among kindergarten, elementary, middle, and high school students was 1,135, a decrease of 2 compared to the previous week. The daily average number of confirmed cases was 162.1, similar to the previous week's 162.4. Since March, the cumulative number of confirmed student cases is 13,299.

Although middle and high schools officially started the semester last week, the number of confirmed student cases remains high. The daily average number of confirmed cases was 162.4 last week and 162.1 this week, marking the second highest this year.

A Ministry of Education official stated, "As regional infection cases increase, the number of confirmed student cases tends to rise accordingly, but since there is little difference from last week, the academic operation plan for the second semester will proceed as planned."

From the 6th, in level 4 areas, half of elementary grades 3 to 6, two-thirds of middle school students, and full attendance for high schools will be allowed. In level 3 areas, full attendance is permitted. Among the 17 metropolitan cities and provinces, 11 have significantly expanded the scope of attendance by advancing the phased attendance expansion for the second semester immediately after the August semester start.

Cluster infections occurred at a high school in Gimcheon, Gyeongbuk, Paju, Gyeonggi, and Seo-gu, Gwangju. At Gimcheon A High School, which has a dormitory, 21 first-year students tested positive, and at Paju B High School, 11 first-year students were confirmed positive. At Gwangju Seo-gu C High School, 13 second-year students were confirmed positive. The schools conducted comprehensive testing for students and staff, and A and C High Schools switched first and second grades to remote classes, while B High School switched all grades to remote classes.

On the 25th, when 2,155 new COVID-19 cases were reported, marking the second highest number ever, citizens visiting the temporary screening clinic set up at Seoul Station Plaza are waiting to be tested. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

In areas with many confirmed cases, proactive PCR (polymerase chain reaction) diagnostic testing is also being supported to detect infections early. The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education plans to conduct tests from August to November, Busan and Gyeongnam from September to November, and Incheon, Gyeonggi, and Gangwon from September to December. To strengthen dormitory quarantine, PCR tests will be conducted before dormitory entry for 120,000 students scheduled to move into dormitories for the second semester by the end of next month.

As of this day, 79.8% (16,362 schools) of the 20,512 schools nationwide conducted in-person classes. In the metropolitan area, 85.1% (6,614 schools) of 7,768 schools held in-person classes. The number of schools conducting in-person classes more than doubled compared to the previous week. Among the total 5.93 million students, 52.9% (3.14 million) attended in-person classes.

There were 95 schools conducting remote classes. By region, the numbers were ▲Seoul 21 schools ▲Jeju 18 schools ▲Chungbuk 17 schools ▲Gyeonggi 13 schools.

The number of confirmed student cases by region was ▲Gyeonggi 362 ▲Seoul 232 ▲Busan 63 ▲Gyeongnam 61 ▲Daegu 57 ▲Incheon 56 ▲Gyeongbuk 54 ▲Chungbuk 52 ▲Chungnam 44 ▲Jeju 38 ▲Gwangju 26 ▲Ulsan 23 ▲Jeonbuk 23 ▲Gangwon 20 ▲Daejeon 13.

The number of confirmed staff cases over the week was 43, averaging 6.1 per day. Since March, the cumulative number of confirmed staff cases is 1,499.

Newly confirmed university student cases were 445, and university staff confirmed cases were 25. University student cases decreased by 42 compared to the previous week, and staff cases decreased by 14. The daily average number of confirmed cases was 63.6 for university students and 3.6 for staff. The cumulative confirmed cases are 6,176 for university students and 566 for university staff.

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