An Examination of SARS-CoV-2 Transmission Based on Classroom Distancing in Schools With Other Preventive Measures in Place—Missouri, January–March 2021. (September 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Donovan, Catherine V.; Worrell, Mary Claire; Steinberg, Jonathan; Montgomery, Brock K.; Young, Randall; Richardson, Gabriele; Dawson, Patrick; Dinh, Thu Ha; Botkin, Natalie; Fitzpatrick, Tammy; Fields, Amanda; Rains, Catherine M.; Fritz, Stephanie; Malone, Sara; Tong, Suxiang; Mooney, Jon; Newland, Jason G.; Barrios, Lisa C.; Neatherlin, John C.; Salzer, Johanna S.
• Is Part Of: Public health reports. Volume 137:Number 5(2022)
• Page Start: 972
• Page End: 979
• Publication Date: 2022-09
• Subjects: COVID-19 -- SARS-CoV-2 -- school health -- students -- physical distancing -- ventilation; Public health -- United States -- Periodicals; 614.0973
• DOI: 10.1177/00333549221109003
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0033-3549

Abstract

Objectives: Classroom layout plays a central role in maintaining physical distancing as part of a multicomponent prevention strategy for safe in-person learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted a school investigation to assess layouts and physical distancing in classroom settings with and without in-school SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Methods: We assessed, measured, and mapped 90 K-12 (kindergarten through grade 12) classrooms in 3 Missouri public school districts during January–March 2021, prior to widespread prevalence of the Delta variant; distances between students, teachers, and people with COVID-19 and their contacts were analyzed. We used whole-genome sequencing to further evaluate potential transmission events. Results: The investigation evaluated the classrooms of 34 students and staff members who were potentially infectious with COVID-19 in a classroom. Of 42 close contacts (15 tested) who sat within 3 ft of possibly infectious people, 1 (2%) probable transmission event occurred (from a symptomatic student with a longer exposure period [5 days]); of 122 contacts (23 tested) who sat more than 3 ft away from possibly infectious people with shorter exposure periods, no transmission events occurred. Conclusions: Reduced student physical distancing is one component of mitigation strategies that can allow for increased classroom capacity and support in-person learning. In the pre–Delta variant period, limited physical distancing (<6 ft) among students in K-12 schools was not associated with increased SARS-CoV-2 transmission.