New COVID-19 Cluster Infections Continue Among Students and Schools

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Eunmo Koo] As the fourth wave of COVID-19 continues in South Korea, confirmed cases are rapidly increasing across the country.

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters (CDCH) on the 12th, new infection cases linked to schools, academies, medical institutions, nursing homes, and workplaces have been confirmed in the metropolitan area.

First, at an academy in Seocho-gu, Seoul (4th case), 17 people including students, staff, and acquaintances have tested positive since the 7th. Regarding a medical institution in Gangnam-gu, Seoul (3rd case), after a staff member was first infected on the 7th, users and others have consecutively tested positive, bringing the total confirmed cases to 21. In Incheon, 8 students at a middle school in Seo-gu tested positive since the 10th, and a total of 5 residents and staff at a nursing home in Michuhol-gu also tested positive after the 10th.

In a cluster infection case spanning a school and swimming pool in southern Gyeonggi Province and a workplace in Seoul, 34 confirmed cases have been reported since the 4th of this month. Among them, 13 are related to the school, 11 to the swimming pool, 6 to the workplace, and 4 are under investigation for infection routes.

The scale of infections in existing metropolitan area cluster outbreaks is steadily increasing. At the Garak Agricultural and Marine Products Wholesale Market in Songpa-gu, Seoul, 24 additional cases were reported in one day, raising the total confirmed cases to 110. Among them, 99 are staff members, 9 are their family members, and 2 are acquaintances. Additionally, confirmed cases have increased in a workplace in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul (4th case, total 81) and a church in Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul (6th case, 42 cases).

New infection cases have also surged in various non-metropolitan areas. In Cheonan City, Chungnam Province, 12 international students tested positive since the 8th, and 9 staff members at a farm in Buyeo County, Chungnam Province, also tested positive. Related to a pub in Jeonju City, Jeonbuk Province, 6 confirmed cases including staff and users were reported. Furthermore, 21 people tested positive since the 7th in a student acquaintance gathering in Buk-gu, Daegu. Among them, 14 are related to the acquaintance gathering and 7 to a karaoke room. At a sports facility in Nam-gu, Busan (2nd case) and a bathhouse in Haeundae-gu, 10 staff members each tested positive since the 9th.

Additional confirmed cases continue to emerge from existing cases. At an entrance exam academy in Seo-gu, Daejeon, 13 more cases were added during contact tracing, bringing the total to 42. At a restaurant in Seo-gu, Daegu (2nd case), 24 more cases were added, totaling 55. Moreover, the scale of infections is growing daily in cases related to an auto parts company in Asan City, Chungnam Province (total 54), an indoor sports facility in Cheongju City, Chungbuk Province (12 cases), a church in Gumi City, Gyeongbuk Province (54 cases), a restaurant in Jung-gu, Ulsan (54 cases), and childcare and education facilities in Yangsan City, Gyeongnam Province (64 cases).

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