Seoul Weekly Student Confirmed Cases 1,450... School Infection Increased by 5.9%

1450 Student COVID-19 Cases in the Past Week, 360 More Than Previous Week
Family Transmission Most Common, School Transmission Rate Also Up 5.9%
793 Elementary, 359 Middle School Cases Confirmed...Elementary Cases Up by 248 From Last Week

The number of student COVID-19 cases reported in Seoul over the past week reached 1,450, an increase of 360 compared to the previous week. As the rate of in-school infections rebounds, parents' anxiety is also growing.

According to the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education on the 7th, from the 29th of last month to the 5th, there were 1,450 confirmed student cases and 104 confirmed staff cases, totaling 1,554.

The number of students infected within schools was 363, a 5.9% (155 cases) increase from the previous week. Although the in-school infection rate had decreased last week, it has rebounded again.

Among students, the most common infection route was family transmission (36.0%, 559 cases), followed by in-school transmission (25.0%, 388 cases). Community infections accounted for the least at 7.0% (110 cases), and 32.0% (497 cases) had unknown infection routes.

The number of confirmed cases by school level is as follows: ▲Elementary school 793 ▲Middle school 359 ▲High school grades 1-2 140 ▲Kindergarten 114 ▲High school grade 3 29. The number of confirmed elementary students increased by 248, middle school students by 40, and high school grades 1 and 2 by 30 compared to the previous week. Kindergarten cases rose by 49.

The infection rate by school level is highest in elementary schools (55.3%), followed by middle schools (25.0%). High school grades 1-2 account for 9.8%, and kindergarten 7.9%. The proportion of student cases relative to total confirmed cases in Seoul rose to 11.9%, up from 10.4% the previous week.

There were two major cluster infection cases. At Kindergarten A, after family transmission, 23 additional students tested positive, resulting in a total of 24 cluster infections by the 28th of last month. At Middle School B, one person tested positive after showing suspected symptoms, and 12 more were confirmed by the 3rd.

Since the 22nd of last month, Seoul has implemented full in-person schooling, with 96% of schools conducting face-to-face classes. As of the 1st, 84.2% of students attended school, down from 87.8% on the 24th of last month. In Seoul, for oversized and overcrowded classes, opinions from parents, students, and teachers are gathered to allow at least three-quarters attendance for grades 3-6 in elementary schools and at least two-thirds attendance for middle and high schools.

During the same period (November 29 to December 5), the nationwide average daily student confirmed cases reached a record high of 564. On the 1st, 698 student cases were reported nationwide, the largest daily number ever recorded. The number of confirmed student cases by school level nationwide is ▲Kindergarten 301 ▲Elementary school 1,957 ▲Middle school 1,262 ▲High school 400 ▲Others 28.

The Ministry of Education is conducting a survey by the 8th to assess the willingness of students aged 12-17 and their guardians to receive school-based vaccinations. The self-quarantine app survey asks whether they want on-site vaccination, plan to get vaccinated elsewhere, or do not wish to be vaccinated. After this week's survey, school-based on-site vaccinations will be conducted for two weeks starting from the 13th. The target age groups, middle school grade 2 and high school grades 1 and 2, typically take final exams from the 6th to the 24th, and vaccinations will likely begin first at schools that have completed their exams.

Meanwhile, the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education will conduct its own quarantine inspections at 110 kindergartens, elementary, middle, and high schools by the end of this month. To support school quarantine, 20 retired health teachers have been hired to provide additional health support instructors at schools with confirmed cases, and mobile specimen collection teams will provide PCR testing support at schools until the end of the month.