Prospective Pilot Study Evaluating SARS-CoV-2 Transmission-Limiting Measures in an On-Site School

• DOI: 10.1016/j.acap.2021.11.019
• Publication Date: 2021-12-08T08:00:37Z
• Authors: Shilpa G. Jani; Jasmin Ma; Uma Pulendran; Julianna C. Hsing; Jonathan Altamirano; Soleil Shah; Elizabeth Y. Toom...; Yvonne Maldonado; Chih-Hung Jason Wang
• Keywords: Limiting; 2019-20 coronavirus outbreak; Betacoronavirus; Sars virus

The purpose of our study is to evaluate the feasibility and reliability of a comprehensive set of preventive measures in limiting secondary transmission of COVID-19 in schools.A prospective cohort study was conducted to evaluate SARS-CoV-2 transmission in an independent K-8 school in San Mateo County, California. The research was conducted between September 14, 2020 through March 22, 2021 and consisted of: 1) demographic and epidemiological questionnaires; 2) daily symptom reporting; 3) weekly RT-PCR testing; and 4) periodic on-site qualitative observations.One hundred eighty (79%) students and 63 (74%) on-site staff/contractors were enrolled. Participants reported symptoms in 144 (<1%) daily surveys of the 19,409 collected. Among those who reported symptoms and exposures, none tested positive during the 22-week study period. Of all participants, a total of 6 tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 at least once by RT-PCR; all were asymptomatic at time of testing. No in-school transmission occurred. Mask adherence was high among all grades, and incidents of improper mask use mostly occurred during noninstruction time. Physical distancing was well-enforced during class time and snack breaks, although adherence during noninstruction time waned as the school year progressed.Our comprehensive, prospective study following COVID-19 transmission over 22 weeks in a K-8 school demonstrates that: 1) surveillance testing is important for detecting asymptomatic infections in schools; 2) monitoring symptoms may not be necessary and/or sufficient for COVID-19; and 3) younger children can adhere to key mitigation measures (eg, masking) which have the potential to limit transmission.