Course: Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 Infections Among Students, Teachers, and Household Members During Lockdown and Split Classes in Berlin, Germany
CME Credits: 1.00
Released: 2021-09-28
Children tend to bear a smaller proportion of the COVID-19 disease burden but are particularly affected by pandemic restrictions, including school closures. The occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in school communities tends to be isolated and to produce few secondary cases., Between June 2020 and March 2021, we examined 24 school classes (12 primary and 12 secondary) across Berlin, Germany, on 4 occasions. In November 2020, there were 9 (2.7%), 2 (1.4%), and 14 (2.3%) SARS-CoV-2 infections among 338 students, 140 teachers, and 611 household members during the second pandemic peak, respectively (7-day incidence of 185 to 210 per 100,000). No secondary cases occurred among individuals in classes. After SARS-CoV-2 infections declined in early 2021, they increased again in mid-February and peaked by mid-April (). In parallel, the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 variant gained predominance. Here, we present data observed with our cohort (1) at the end of February 2021, after a 2-month lockdown, and (2) at the end of March 2021, 2 to 3 weeks after schools resumed instruction with split classes half of the original size attending school on alternate weeks.
Educational Objective
To identify the key insights or developments described in this article
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