tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep
. 2021 Feb 26;70(8):289-292.
doi: 10.15585/mmwr.mm7008e4.
Clusters of SARS-CoV-2 Infection Among Elementary School Educators and Students in One School District - Georgia, December 2020-January 2021
Jeremy A W Gold, Jenna R Gettings, Anne Kimball, Rachel Franklin, Grant Rivera, Elana Morris, Colleen Scott, Paula L Marcet, Marisa Hast, Megan Swanson, Jazmyn McCloud, Lemlem Mehari, Ebony S Thomas, Hannah L Kirking, Jacqueline E Tate, Janet Memark, Cherie Drenzek, Snigdha Vallabhaneni, Georgia K–12 School COVID-19 Investigation Team
Collaborators, Affiliations
Abstract
In-person learning benefits children and communities (1). Understanding the context in which transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), occurs in schools is critical to improving the safety of in-person learning. During December 1, 2020-January 22, 2021, Cobb and Douglas Public Health (CDPH), the Georgia Department of Public Health (GDPH), and CDC investigated SARS-CoV-2 transmission in eight public elementary schools in a single school district. COVID-19 cases* among educators and students were either self-reported or identified by local public health officials. Close contacts (contacts)[SUP]†[/SUP] of persons with a COVID-19 case received testing. Among contacts who received positive test results, public health investigators assessed epidemiologic links, probable transmission directionality, and the likelihood of in-school transmission.[SUP]?[/SUP] Nine clusters of three or more epidemiologically linked COVID-19 cases were identified involving 13 educators and 32 students at six of the eight elementary schools. Two clusters involved probable educator-to-educator transmission that was followed by educator-to-student transmission and resulted in approximately one half (15 of 31) of school-associated cases. Sixty-nine household members of persons with school-associated cases were tested, and 18 (26%) received positive results. All nine transmission clusters involved less than ideal physical distancing, and five involved inadequate mask use by students. Educators were central to in-school transmission networks. Multifaceted mitigation measures in schools, including promotion of COVID-19 precautions outside of school, minimizing in-person adult interactions at school, and ensuring universal and correct mask use and physical distancing among educators and students when in-person interaction is unavoidable, are important in preventing in-school transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Although not required for reopening schools, COVID-19 vaccination should be considered as an additional mitigation measure to be added when available.
. 2021 Feb 26;70(8):289-292.
doi: 10.15585/mmwr.mm7008e4.
Clusters of SARS-CoV-2 Infection Among Elementary School Educators and Students in One School District - Georgia, December 2020-January 2021
Jeremy A W Gold, Jenna R Gettings, Anne Kimball, Rachel Franklin, Grant Rivera, Elana Morris, Colleen Scott, Paula L Marcet, Marisa Hast, Megan Swanson, Jazmyn McCloud, Lemlem Mehari, Ebony S Thomas, Hannah L Kirking, Jacqueline E Tate, Janet Memark, Cherie Drenzek, Snigdha Vallabhaneni, Georgia K–12 School COVID-19 Investigation Team
Collaborators, Affiliations
- PMID: 33630823
- DOI: 10.15585/mmwr.mm7008e4
Abstract
In-person learning benefits children and communities (1). Understanding the context in which transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), occurs in schools is critical to improving the safety of in-person learning. During December 1, 2020-January 22, 2021, Cobb and Douglas Public Health (CDPH), the Georgia Department of Public Health (GDPH), and CDC investigated SARS-CoV-2 transmission in eight public elementary schools in a single school district. COVID-19 cases* among educators and students were either self-reported or identified by local public health officials. Close contacts (contacts)[SUP]†[/SUP] of persons with a COVID-19 case received testing. Among contacts who received positive test results, public health investigators assessed epidemiologic links, probable transmission directionality, and the likelihood of in-school transmission.[SUP]?[/SUP] Nine clusters of three or more epidemiologically linked COVID-19 cases were identified involving 13 educators and 32 students at six of the eight elementary schools. Two clusters involved probable educator-to-educator transmission that was followed by educator-to-student transmission and resulted in approximately one half (15 of 31) of school-associated cases. Sixty-nine household members of persons with school-associated cases were tested, and 18 (26%) received positive results. All nine transmission clusters involved less than ideal physical distancing, and five involved inadequate mask use by students. Educators were central to in-school transmission networks. Multifaceted mitigation measures in schools, including promotion of COVID-19 precautions outside of school, minimizing in-person adult interactions at school, and ensuring universal and correct mask use and physical distancing among educators and students when in-person interaction is unavoidable, are important in preventing in-school transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Although not required for reopening schools, COVID-19 vaccination should be considered as an additional mitigation measure to be added when available.