COVID‐19 in children and the effect of schools reopening on potential transmission to household members. (22nd June 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Shapiro Ben David, Shirley; Rahamim‐Cohen, Daniella; Tasher, Diana; Geva, Adi; Azuri, Joseph; Ash, Nachman
• Is Part Of: Acta pædiatrica. Volume 110:Number 9(2021)
• Page Start: 2567
• Page End: 2573
• Publication Date: 2021-06-22
• Subjects: children -- COVID‐19 -- household -- school -- transmission -- ultra‐orthodox; Pediatrics -- Periodicals; Pediatrics; 618.92
• DOI: 10.1111/apa.15962
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0803-5253

Abstract

Abstract: Aim: The effect of reopening schools on children's contribution to SARS‐CoV‐2 transmission, especially within households, remains controversial. This study describes the clinical presentation of a large ambulatory COVID‐19 paediatric cohort and evaluates the role of children in household transmission prior to and following school reopening. Methods: A retrospective database cohort study was conducted in a large Health Maintenance Organization in Israel. Data of all paediatric, laboratory‐confirmed Coronavirus cases between 28/2/2020 and 20/6/2020 were extracted. All cases were analysed for household contacts and primary cases within each family cluster. Results: A total of 1, 032 cases under 18 years old (median age 12 years) were included. Of these cases, 432 (41.9%) were asymptomatic; 122 (11.8%) cases acquired the infection at school, and 45 of them were part of two school clusters; 846 children had at least one positive household contact, in 498 family clusters, and among them, 293 primary cases were identified. Only 27 (9.2%) primary cases were under 18 years of age and six (2%) were below 10. The proportion of primary cases did not change after the re‐opening of educational facilities. Conclusion: Children, particularly under 10 years of age, are less likely to be the vector for SARS‐CoV‐2 infection within household settings. Opening educational facilities did not change transmission dynamics.