COVID-19 prevention at institutions of higher education, United States, 2020–2021: implementation of nonpharmaceutical interventions

Abstract

Background In early 2020, following the start of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, institutions of higher education (IHEs) across the United States rapidly pivoted to online learning to reduce the risk of on-campus virus transmission. We explored IHEs’ use of this and other nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) during the subsequent pandemic-affected academic year 20202021. Methods From December 2020 to June 2021, we collected publicly available data from official webpages of 847 IHEs, including all public (n = 547) and a stratified random sample of private four-year institutions (n = 300). Abstracted data included NPIs deployed during the academic year such as changes to the calendar, learning environment, housing, common areas, and dining; COVID-19 testing; and facemask protocols. We performed weighted analysis to assess congruence with the October 29, 2020, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance for IHEs. For IHEs offering ≥50% of courses in person, we used weighted multivariable linear regression to explore the association between IHE characteristics and the summated number of implemented NPIs. Results Overall, 20% of IHEs implemented all CDC-recommended NPIs. The most frequently utilized NPI was learning environment changes (91%), practiced as one or more of the following modalities: distance or hybrid learning opportunities (98%), 6-ft spacing (60%), and reduced class sizes (51%). Additionally, 88% of IHEs specified facemask protocols, 78% physically changed common areas, and 67% offered COVID-19 testing. Among the 33% of IHEs offering ≥50% of courses in person, having < 1000 students was associated with having implemented fewer NPIs than IHEs with ≥1000 students. Conclusions Only 1 in 5 IHEs implemented all CDC recommendations, while a majority implemented a subset, most commonly changes to the classroom, facemask protocols, and COVID-19 testing. IHE enrollment size and location were associated with degree of NPI implementation. Additional research is needed to assess adherence to NPI implementation in IHE settings.

Comparing intervention measures in a model of a disease outbreak on a university campus

“…It may be, therefore, that university campuses are fortunate in experiencing no epidemic with only limited controls. A recent study found that while most higher education institutions in the United States enforced relatively low-cost non-pharmaceutical interventions against COVID-19 such as mandating mask wearing indoors, only 20% of those sampled instituted all of the interventions recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, including on-campus testing and restrictions on mixing [24]. Our work would suggest that, while undoubtedly costly and with important considerations for wellbeing, the more measures implemented the better for disease control.…”

Navigating New Normals: Student Perceptions, Experiences, and Mental Health Service Utilization in Post-Pandemic Academia

“…The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic mandated adaptations that disrupted education at all levels and uniquely shaped the academic experience of post-secondary students. Under the guidance of the CDC, colleges and universities across the country implemented several measures to manage the impact of COVID-19 on institutional operations and reduce disruptions to student learning including offering distance learning, adjusting the academic 2 of 16 calendar, limiting student housing, modifying the operations of on-campus facilities and common areas, and enforcing mask-wearing policies [8]. The required adaptations and transitions drastically shaped the higher education experience for all students.…”

Association between the level of concern for COVID-19 and information sources among college students

“…With the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020 [1][2][3], many institutions of higher education (IHEs) in the United States proceeded to institute nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations to manage the spread of the SARS-CoV-2. NPIs included using facemasks [4,5], remote learning, physical distancing, significantly limiting mass gatherings, travel restrictions, and implementing distance learning/remote classrooms [6].…”

“…Presumably due to the perceived higher risk and concern for contracting SARS-CoV-2 for younger individuals [13]. Although younger individuals and especially college students have an overall lower risk for severe outcomes for SARS-CoV-2, this population could have been a source of transmission during the pandemic [6,14,15].…”