The Korea Times close
National
  • Politics
  • Diplomacy
  • Defense
  • Labor & Environment
  • Law & Crime
  • Health & Welfare
  • Embassy
  • Seoul & Provinces
  • Education
  • Foreign Communities
  • Obituaries
Biz & Tech
  • Auto
  • IT
  • Game
  • Manufacturing
  • Retail & Food
  • Energy
  • Construction
  • Airlines
Finance
  • Policies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Banks
  • Non-banks
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to the Editor
Lifestyle
  • Arts
  • Books
  • Travel & Cuisine
  • Trend
  • Fashion
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
Entertainment
  • K-pop
  • K-dramas & Shows
  • Movies
  • Music
  • Performances
  • Asia Model Festival
Sports
  • Football
  • Golf
  • Baseball
  • Other Sports
World
  • Asia Pacific
  • Americas
  • Europe & Africa
  • SCMP
Video
  • On the Spot
  • Feature
  • News
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
Community
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
National
  • Politics
  • Diplomacy
  • Defense
  • Labor & Environment
  • Law & Crime
  • Health & Welfare
  • Embassy
  • Seoul & Provinces
  • Education
  • Foreign Communities
  • Obituaries
Thu, February 25, 2021 | 17:47
Education
KDCA head's study supports resuming offline classes at school
Posted : 2021-01-21 16:17
Updated : 2021-01-21 16:21
Mail
Print Preview
Font Size Up
Font Size Down
A teacher gives a class online from an empty classroom at Yongsan Elementary School, Seoul, in this April 16, 2020 photo. Korea Times photo by Seo Jae-hoon
A teacher gives a class online from an empty classroom at Yongsan Elementary School, Seoul, in this April 16, 2020 photo. Korea Times photo by Seo Jae-hoon

By Bahk Eun-ji

A study by the head of the nation's disease control authority has shown that school closures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 here were ineffective and had a negative impact in other areas.

Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) Commissioner Jeong Eun-kyeong published a paper in the Journal of Pediatric Infection and Vaccine, Dec. 27, following research which she jointly conducted with a team from the Department of Social Medicine at Hallym University Medical School.

In the paper, the team surveyed 127 children aged three to 18 who were infected between May 1 and July 12 last year when in-person classes resumed at schools. Of them, only three, or 2.4 percent, contracted the virus from classmates or teachers.

Another 59 children (46.5 percent) were infected via family members or relatives; 18, (14.2 percent) were infected at private cram schools or from private tutors; and eight (6.3 percent) contracted the virus after using multi-use facilities such as karaoke or PC rooms, and churches.

During the research period, the country as a whole saw 13,417 infections with 7.2 percent of them among those aged under 19. The ratio was not much different from those during other periods when schools were closed.

"These results are similar to those of prior studies published in Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand, which stated that schools are not high-risk places for coronavirus infection," the team said in the paper.

It said education at schools should be able to resume as long as infection prevention measures were implemented.

While schools were closed, other social problems emerged, such as a clear gap in learning depending on the financial status of parents, and students' lack of social skills.

However, it remains to be seen whether the research will impact the government's decision on whether to allow schools to open for the new semester in March, as the study was limited to the May-July period and the country is currently struggling to contain a third wave of the pandemic.

In regards to the research, Park Young-joon, head of the epidemiological investigation team at the Central Disease Control Headquarters, said in a briefing Thursday, "The study was conducted to trace the infection routes of COVID-19 among children to determine whether holding classes in schools is appropriate."

"There were not as many infections at schools as we initially expected. But the small number was possible because quarantine measures were carried out appropriately at schools."

Although the number of daily new cases has recently declined due to intensive social distancing measures since the end of last year, the government plans to make a decision on school operations after monitoring the ongoing COVID-19 situation.

The KDCA reported 401 more infections for Wednesday, including 380 local ones, raising the total caseload to 73,918.


Emailejb@koreatimes.co.kr Article ListMore articles by this reporter









 
 
  • K League star Ki Sung-yueng denies sexual assault allegations
  • All overseas arrivals required to submit negative PCR test results
  • Korea reports 1st population decline in 2020; total fertility rate hits new record of 0.84
  • Haute couture designer Kay Kim speaks about SM's girl band debut costume, her brand
  • Victims still reeling from traumatic past, yet bullies forgetful
  • Earth is suffering [PHOTOS]
  • Hyundai to replace Kona EV batteries
  • New virus cases rebound to over 400 ahead of vaccine rollout
  • [ANALYSIS] Is Samsung Electronics losing competence in NAND?
  • South Korea raises wartime sex slavery issue at UN
  • B.A.P Himchan sentenced to 10 months in prison for sexual assault B.A.P Himchan sentenced to 10 months in prison for sexual assault
  • Agency refuses to confirm report that Jennie and G-Dragon are dating Agency refuses to confirm report that Jennie and G-Dragon are dating
  • [INTERVIEW] 'Minari' actor Han Ye-ri recalls why the film is special to her [INTERVIEW] 'Minari' actor Han Ye-ri recalls why the film is special to her
  • Online streamer under fire for 'thoughtless' behavior in Brazil Online streamer under fire for 'thoughtless' behavior in Brazil
  • 'Beauty Water' becomes 1st Korean animated film to win award at Boston Sci-Fi Film Festival 'Beauty Water' becomes 1st Korean animated film to win award at Boston Sci-Fi Film Festival
DARKROOM
  • Earth is suffering [PHOTOS]

    Earth is suffering [PHOTOS]

  • NASA's Perseverance rover is landing on Mars

    NASA's Perseverance rover is landing on Mars

  • Fun in the snow, sledding for everyone

    Fun in the snow, sledding for everyone

  • Our children deserve better: Part 3

    Our children deserve better: Part 3

  • Mass COVID-19 vaccination campaign starts: Part 2

    Mass COVID-19 vaccination campaign starts: Part 2

  • About Korea Times
  • CEO Message
  • Times History
  • Content Sales
  • Media Kit
  • Contact Us
  • Location
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • Mobile Service
  • RSS Service
  • 고충처리인
  • hankookilbo
  • Dongwha Group
  • Code of Ethics
Copyright