Trends in the numbers of SARS-CoV-2 infections among students: a prospective cohort study comparing students in sports boarding schools with students in day schools during early COVID-19 pandemic

• DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1223748
• Publication Date: 2023-11-14T10:59:25Z
• Authors: Friedrich Barsch; Vera Peters; Oliver Morath; Oliver Krumnau; Philipp Maier; Daniela Huzly; Stephan Prettin; Peter Deibert
• Keywords: Pandemic

Introduction During the first months of COVID pandemic it emerged that facilities where people gather or live together in cohorts, such as nursing homes schools, were particularly at high risk for becoming hotspots virus transmission. German political and health institutions responded with far-reaching interventions preventive strategies to protect population from infection SARS-CoV-2. In this context, remains unclear whether boarding schools sports pose a their residents. Methods single-center prospective cohort study, numbers SARS-CoV-2 infections students ( n = 11) vs. attending regular day 22) region Freiburg/Hochschwarzwald Germany investigated over period October 2020 January 2021 via antibody screening (German Clinical Trials Register; Study ID: DRKS00021909). addition, individual behavioral factors stratified questionnaire, which provide an indication specific success implementation hygiene concepts, well other prevention strategies, within respective facilities. Results Regarding numbers, detected no significant group difference between schools. Discussion The study results indications did not increased infection, assuming prevent transmissions appropriate measures. future scenarios larger-scale multicenter studies are necessary achieve more comprehensive epidemiological data field.