COVID-19 infections in English schools and the households of students and staff 2020-21: a self-controlled case-series analysis.
Int J Epidemiol
; 53(4)2024 Jun 12.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-39096097
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
The role of children and staff in SARS-CoV-2 transmission outside and within households is still not fully understood when large numbers are in regular, frequent contact in schools.METHODS:
We used the self-controlled case-series method during the alpha- and delta-dominant periods to explore the incidence of infection in periods around a household member infection, relative to periods without household infection, in a cohort of primary and secondary English schoolchildren and staff from November 2020 to July 2021.RESULTS:
We found the relative incidence of infection in students and staff was highest in the 1-7 days following household infection, remaining high up to 14 days after, with risk also elevated in the 6--12 days before household infection. Younger students had a higher relative incidence following household infection, suggesting household transmission may play a more prominent role compared with older students. The relative incidence was also higher among students in the alpha variant dominant period.CONCLUSIONS:
This analysis suggests SARS-CoV2 infection in children, young people and staff at English schools were more likely to be associated with within-household transmission than from outside the household, but that a small increased risk of seeding from outside is observed.Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Schools
/
Students
/
Family Characteristics
/
SARS-CoV-2
/
COVID-19
Limits:
Adolescent
/
Adult
/
Child
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
Country/Region as subject:
Europa
Language:
En
Journal:
Int J Epidemiol
Year:
2024
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
United kingdom
Country of publication:
United kingdom