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KMID : 1120220230140040252
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Osong Public Health and Research Perspectives
2023 Volume.14 No. 4 p.252 ~ p.262
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Risk factors for transmission in a COVID-19 cluster infection in a high school in the Republic of Korea
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Jeon Jin-Hwan
Kang Su-Jin
Jeong Se-Jin
Jang Hyeon-Cheol
Park Young-Joon
Lee Sang-Eun
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Abstract
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Objectives : This study aimed to examine the scale, characteristics, risk factors, and modes of transmission in a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak at a high school in Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Methods : An epidemiological survey was conducted of 1,118 confirmed cases and close contacts from a COVID-19 outbreak at an educational facility starting on May 31, 2021. In-depth interviews, online questionnaires, flow evaluations, and CCTV analyses were used to devise infection prevention measures. Behavioral and spatial risk factors were identified, and statistical significance was tested.
Results : Among 3rd-year students, there were 33 confirmed COVID-19 cases (9.6%). Students who used a study room in the annex building showed a statistically significant 4.3-fold elevation in their relative risk for infection compared to those who did not use the study room. Moreover, CCTV facial recognition analysis confirmed that 17.8% of 3rd-year students did not wear masks and had the lowest percentage of mask-wearers by grade. The air epidemiological survey conducted in the study room in the annex, which met the 3 criteria for a closed space, confirmed that there was only 10% natural ventilation due to the poor ventilation system.
Conclusion : To prevent and manage the spread of COVID-19 in educational facilities, advance measures that consider the size, operation, and resources of each school are crucial. In addition, various survey methodologies should be used in future studies to quickly analyze a wider range of data that can inform an evidence-based quarantine response.
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KEYWORD
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COVID-19, Epidemiology, Risk factors, Surveys and questionnaires, Video analysis
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