In early December, 62% of the US K-12 school districts opened for full or partial face-to-face learning. Despite this, reports of outbreaks in schools were “limited”, wrote the CDC researchers. The incidence of Covid-19 among the general population was similar in counties with face-to-face learning – 401.2 cases per 100,000 people – and those who were online only – 418.2 per 100,000 people.
There was no sign that the increase in cases among school-age children and adolescents preceded increases in other age groups; however, there were increases among other age groups after the cases increased among people aged 18 to 24 years.
To prevent transmission of coronavirus in schools, transmission in the community must be controlled, the report said. Communities and schools must implement mitigation strategies, such as wearing masks, and people must adhere to them. The CDC’s recommendations already say that K-12 schools should be the last to close after all other mitigation measures have been tried, and the first to reopen when it is safe to do so, the report noted.
“When community transmission is high, cases in schools should be expected and, as in any group setting, schools can contribute to the transmission of COVID-19, especially when mitigation measures, such as universal and appropriate masking, are not implemented or followed, “the report said.
There are limitations to the report, including that Covid-19 cases are likely to be underestimated among young people, and case trends among teachers and school staff are not available.
President-elect Joe Biden has promised that his government will reopen most schools within 100 days of taking office.