A cross-sectional and prospective cohort study of the role of schools in the SARS-CoV-2 second wave in Italy

During COVID-19 pandemic, school closure has been mandated in analogy to its effect against influenza, but it is unclear whether schools are early COVID-19 amplifiers. We performed a cross-sectional and prospective cohort study in Italy during the second COVID-19 wave (from September 30, 2020 until...

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Published in:The Lancet regional health. Europe 2021-06, Vol.5, p.100092-100092, Article 100092
Main Authors: Gandini, Sara, Rainisio, Maurizio, Iannuzzo, Maria Luisa, Bellerba, Federica, Cecconi, Francesco, Scorrano, Luca
Format: Article
Language:English
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Research Paper
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Summary:During COVID-19 pandemic, school closure has been mandated in analogy to its effect against influenza, but it is unclear whether schools are early COVID-19 amplifiers. We performed a cross-sectional and prospective cohort study in Italy during the second COVID-19 wave (from September 30, 2020 until at least February 28, 2021). We used databases from the Italian Ministry of Education, the Veneto region systems of SARS-CoV-2 cases notification and of schools’ secondary cases tracing to compare SARS-CoV-2 incidence in students/school staff and general population and incidence across age groups. Number of tests, secondary infections by type of index case and ratio cases/ tests per school were estimated using an adjusted multivariable generalized linear regression model. Regional reproduction numbers Rt were estimated from Italian Civil Protection daily incidence data with a method of posterior distribution using a Markov Chain Monte Carlo algorithm. SARS-CoV-2 incidence among students was lower than in the general population. Secondary infections at school were
ISSN:2666-7762
2666-7762
DOI:10.1016/j.lanepe.2021.100092