9 Busan Dong-A University Bumin Campus Students Confirmed Positive
Students: "In-Person Classes Are Too Much", "Forcing Classes Is Unfair"
Dong-A University to Hold Online Classes Until Next Month 4
Experts: "Silent Transmission Rate Still High... Cluster Infection Spreading"
On the 11th of last month, diagnostic testing for the novel coronavirus infection was conducted at the screening clinic of Saha-gu Public Health Center in Busan. Photo by Yonhap News
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suwan] As seven more students at Dong-A University Bumin Campus dormitory and clubs in Busan have been infected with the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), concerns and criticism about the spread of infection among students are rising. Given the ongoing spread of COVID-19 mainly in the metropolitan area, the decision to hold in-person classes is being criticized as premature.
In particular, despite students opposing the expansion of in-person classes through a survey, the school has faced heavy criticism for proceeding with it. Additionally, since the residences of confirmed cases and their contacts are spread nationwide beyond Busan, there are opinions that Dong-A University might become a new flashpoint for the spread of infectious diseases, which is expected to cause repercussions. Experts expressed concern that the proportion of silent transmissions, such as by asymptomatic individuals, remains high, potentially leading to further cluster infections.
On the 20th, Busan City announced that as of that morning, eight additional COVID-19 cases were confirmed in the Busan area. Among them, six (cases 372 to 377) are students of Dong-A University Bumin Campus. They are contacts of case 366, one of two students confirmed positive on the previous day (cases 366 and 368).
Previously, Dong-A University had been conducting a mix of in-person and online classes for the second semester.
Also, on the morning of the same day, one more student from Dong-A University Bumin Campus in Changwon City, Gyeongnam Province, tested positive for COVID-19. This brings the total number of COVID-19 cases originating from Dong-A University to nine over two days.
The confirmed cases at Dong-A University reportedly lived in the same dormitory or belonged to the same department club, engaging in group activities including drinking gatherings.
As confirmed cases continued to emerge, Dong-A University issued an official statement on the 19th, stating, "All classes will be switched to non-face-to-face (online) until the Chuseok holiday," and requested, "Except for unavoidable circumstances, please refrain from attending school in person due to the transition to online classes."
However, amid student opposition, criticism continues over the school's reckless decision that led to a surge in confirmed cases. It is pointed out that pushing forward with in-person classes amid concerns about cluster infections within the school was inappropriate.
In fact, a survey conducted by the Dong-A University Student Council on the 14th targeting 4,946 enrolled students regarding the operation method of second-semester classes showed that 2,770 students (56%) preferred online classes.
University lecture hall. The photo is not related to specific expressions in the article. Photo by Yonhap News.
Given this situation, students are protesting the school's decision. One netizen identifying as a Dong-A University student commented on the official Busan City website, saying, "If the school had conducted only online classes, the spread would not have been this severe," and expressed frustration, "Why did they hold in-person classes when the student council vote showed strong support for online classes?"
Another student said, "The school should be ashamed. With COVID-19 spreading nationwide, how can in-person lectures make sense? Nine cases have already emerged; is there any guarantee that more won't come? The confirmed students even had drinking parties; it's really serious. Because of their carelessness, only the students who followed quarantine rules are suffering."
Especially as all confirmed students have been identified as coming from other regions, students' anxiety is growing. Moreover, it is expected that over 1,000 people, including students and their contacts, may be involved, causing a stir.
According to health authorities, the residences of the nine confirmed Dong-A University Bumin Campus students are six in Gyeongnam, two in Gyeongbuk, and one in Ulsan.
As a result, some are calling for all schools to switch to online classes immediately.
On the Blue House's public petition board, petitions opposing university in-person classes have been posted with titles such as "(To prevent the spread of COVID-19) Please regulate universities' second-semester in-person classes," "Stop the reckless in-person classes at ** University!," and "Please stop ** University from holding in-person classes despite the ruthless increase in COVID-19 cases," among others.
A petitioner who identified as a student at a university in the metropolitan area said, "Most universities' announced 'second-semester lecture operation plans' did not consider 'measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus' or 'students' concerns, worries, and anxieties due to COVID-19' at all, and did not even reflect students' opinions gathered through prior surveys, resulting in completely different directions. I urge and petition the government to regulate this dangerous decision by universities to operate the second semester through 'hybrid classes,' which are effectively 'in-person classes,' and to bring about proper changes."
Experts pointed out that while education is important, reckless in-person classes could make students sources of COVID-19 transmission. Professor Kim Woo-joo, an infectious disease specialist at Korea University Guro Hospital, said, "Universities should have conducted a proper risk assessment before proceeding," and added, "Even with hybrid classes (combining online and offline), if there is face-to-face interaction between people, the risk of infection cannot be avoided."
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