Alliance for Pandemic Preparedness

December 2, 2020

Stepwise School Opening and an Impact on the Epidemiology of COVID-19 in the Children

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School opening with good adherence to mitigation measures among students in Korea did not cause significant school-related COVID-19 outbreaks. Following the implementation of social distancing strategies on February 29, 2020, in-person classes convened between May 20 and June 8 at four steps with high school senior students (grade 12) back to school first. As of July 31, more than 13,000 students and staff were tested from 38 institutions, and 44 COVID-19 cases among students were identified (from 14 high schools, 6 middle schools, 13 elementary schools, and 6 kindergartens). Only one elementary student was infected from the same classroom. There was no sudden increase in the number of pediatric patients or the proportion of pediatric patients among all confirmed cases in the nation after school reopened (7% by May 20 and 7.2% by July 31).

Yoon et al. (Nov 30, 2020). Stepwise School Opening and an Impact on the Epidemiology of COVID-19 in the Children. Journal of Korean Medical Science. https://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2020.35.e414