Measures implemented in the school setting to contain the COVID-19 pandemic: a rapid scoping review

Krishnaratne, Shari; Pfadenhauer, Lisa M.; Coenen, Michaela; Geffert, Karin; Jung-Sievers, Caroline; Klinger, Carmen; Kratzer, Suzie; Littlecott, Hannah; Movsisyan, Ani; Rabe, Julia E; Rehfuess, Eva; Sell, Kerstin; Strahwald, Brigitte; Stratil, Jan M.; Voss, Stephan; Wabnitz, Katharina; Burns, Jacob

doi:10.1002/14651858.cd013812

Cited by 99 publications

(96 citation statements)

References 147 publications

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“…Mitigation measures have been established for schools to reopen across the United Kingdom, including mask wearing and testing 68 , and after the reopening in both instances cases still went down 69 . Indeed, several studies worldwide have found that mitigation measures allow to reopen schools safely 70 , 71 , 72 , 73 . Lessler et al 70 found that even implementing low levels of in-school mitigation measures COVID-19 outcomes were reduced.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Systematic review of empirical studies comparing the effectiveness of non-pharmaceutical interventions against COVID-19

Méndez-Brito

Bcheraoui

Pozo-Martin

2021

Journal of Infection

210

151

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Objectives To evaluate which non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) have been more and less effective in controlling the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods We performed a systematic review of published and unpublished empirical studies, either observational or interventional, analysing the comparative effectiveness of NPIs against the COVID-19 pandemic. We searched Embase/Medline and medRxiv to identify the relevant literature. Results We identified 34 studies. During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, school closing was the most effective NPI, followed by workplace closing, business and venue closing and public event bans. Public information campaigns and mask wearing requirements were also effective in controlling the pandemic while being less disruptive for the population than other NPIs. There was no evidence on the effectiveness of public transport closure, testing and contact tracing strategies and quarantining or isolation of individuals. Early implementation was associated with a higher effectiveness in reducing COVID-19 cases and deaths, while general stringency of the NPIs was not. Conclusions In this systematic review, we found that school closing, followed by workplace closing, business and venue closing and public event bans were the most effective NPIs in controlling the spread of COVID-19. An early response and a combination of specific social distancing measures are effective at reducing COVID-19 cases and deaths. Continuous monitoring of NPIs effectiveness is needed in order to adapt decision making.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Systematic review of empirical studies comparing the effectiveness of non-pharmaceutical interventions against COVID-19

Méndez-Brito

Bcheraoui

Pozo-Martin

2021

Journal of Infection

210

151

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“…School closures should be the ultimate decision taken, as they lead to harmful global consequences on health, society and economics and dramatically increase existing inequalities (31,32). Before this is done, less dramatic decisions with schools remaining open with a clear prevention plan about measures in place can and should be taken for the overall well-being of the children, although current evidence for their effectiveness is not well-studied (13,15). It seems, that established Swiss procedures with school-based preventive measures (e.g., masks for teachers and children >12 years in the open space of schools, stable class constellations, tapering school breaks, the ban of group events such as school camps, physical distancing in class and teachers' rooms), contact tracing and leaving febrile and/or symptomatic children at home, seem to work in hindering the SARS-CoV-2 spread by and through children in schools.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For example, in Switzerland, parents are asked to keep their children at home when sick, each school needs to have protective measures in place to prevent transmissions and specific regulations of authorities are in place. Unfortunately, their impact has been poorly studied (14,15).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Surveillance of Acute SARS-CoV-2 Infections in School Children and Point-Prevalence During a Time of High Community Transmission in Switzerland

et al. 2021

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Background: Switzerland had one of the highest incidence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections in Europe during the second wave. Schools were open as in most of Europe with specific preventive measures in place. However, the frequency and transmission of acute unrecognized, asymptomatic or oligosymptomatic infections in schools during this time of high community transmission is unknown. Thereof, our aim was to pilot a surveillance system that detects acute SARS-CoV-2 infections in schools and possible transmission within classes.Methods: Fourteen out of the randomly selected sample of the Ciao Corona cohort study participated between December 1 and 11, a time when incidence rate for SARS-CoV-2 infections was high for the canton of Zurich. We determined point-prevalence of acute SARS-CoV-2 infections of school children attending primary and secondary school. A buccal swab for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and a rapid diagnostic test (RDT) to detect SARS-CoV-2 were taken twice 1 week apart (T1 and T2) in a cohort of children from randomly selected classes. A questionnaire assessed demographics and symptoms compatible with a SARS-CoV-2 infection during the past 5 days.Results: Out of 1,299 invited children, 641 (49%) 6- to 16-year-old children and 66 teachers from 14 schools and 67 classes participated in at least one of two testings. None of the teachers but one child had a positive PCR at T1, corresponding to a point-prevalence in children of 0.2% (95% CI 0.0–1.1%), and no positive PCR was detected at T2. The child with positive PCR at T1 was negative on the RDT at T1 and both tests were negative at T2. There were 7 (0.6%) false positive RDTs in children and 2 (1.7%) false positive RDTs in teachers at T1 or T2 among 5 schools (overall prevalence 0.7%). All 9 initially positive RDTs were negative in a new buccal sample taken 2 h to 2 days later, also confirmed by PCR. Thirty-five percent of children and 8% of teachers reported mild symptoms during the 5 days prior to testing.Conclusion: In a setting of high incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infections, unrecognized virus spread within schools was very low. Schools appear to be safe with the protective measures in place (e.g., clearly symptomatic children have to stay at home, prompt contact tracing with individual and class-level quarantine, and structured infection prevention measures in school). Specificity of the RDT was within the lower boundary of performance and needs further evaluation for its use in schools. Given the low point prevalence even in a setting of very high incidence, a targeted test, track, isolate and quarantine (TTIQ) strategy for symptomatic children and school personnel adapted to school settings is likely more suitable approach than surveillance on entire classes and schools.Clinical Trial Registration:https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04448717, ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04448717.

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“…Driven by these challenges, different countries utilized various criteria and strategies to ease previously applied measures and gradually return to normalcy [9]. Relaxing the protective measures included, for example, reopening businesses, schools, restaurants, and recreational facilities [10]. Among other factors, the Fall and Winter seasons are making the situation worse by pushing people back inside closed spaces where the virus has a much easier time spreading than the outdoors [11].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of multiple waves of COVID-19 on healthcare networks in the United States

Hassan

Mahmoud

2021

PLoS ONE

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The risk of overwhelming hospitals from multiple waves of COVID-19 is yet to be quantified. Here, we investigate the impact of different scenarios of releasing strong measures implemented around the U.S. on COVID-19 hospitalized cases and the risk of overwhelming the hospitals while considering resources at the county level. We show that multiple waves might cause an unprecedented impact on the hospitals if an increasing number of the population becomes susceptible and/or if the various protective measures are discontinued. Furthermore, we explore the ability of different mitigation strategies in providing considerable relief to hospitals. The results can help planners, policymakers, and state officials decide on additional resources required and when to return to normalcy.

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Measures implemented in the school setting to contain the COVID-19 pandemic: a rapid scoping review

Cited by 99 publications

References 147 publications

Systematic review of empirical studies comparing the effectiveness of non-pharmaceutical interventions against COVID-19

Systematic review of empirical studies comparing the effectiveness of non-pharmaceutical interventions against COVID-19

Surveillance of Acute SARS-CoV-2 Infections in School Children and Point-Prevalence During a Time of High Community Transmission in Switzerland

Impact of multiple waves of COVID-19 on healthcare networks in the United States

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