Secondary transmission of COVID-19 in preschool and school settings in northern Italy after their reopening in September 2020: a population-based study

Euro Surveill. 2020 Dec;25(49):2001911. doi: 10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2020.25.49.2001911.

Abstract

We report epidemiological investigations of transmission of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in 41 classes of 36 schools in Reggio Emilia province, northern Italy, from their reopening on 1 September to 15 October 2020. The overall secondary case attack rate was 3.2%, reaching 6.6% in middle and high schools. More timely isolation and testing of classmates could be effective in reducing virus transmission in this setting.

Keywords: Covid-19; SARS-CoV-2; Schools; outbreaks; surveillance.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • COVID-19 / epidemiology*
  • COVID-19 / transmission
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Disease Transmission, Infectious / statistics & numerical data*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Italy / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Masks*
  • Mortality
  • Organizational Policy
  • Physical Distancing*
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • School Teachers / statistics & numerical data*
  • Schools*
  • Schools, Nursery*
  • Students / statistics & numerical data*
  • Young Adult