Int J Infect Dis. 2023 Jan 5:S1201-9712(22)00673-7. doi: 10.1016/j.ijid.2022.12.030. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Investigate risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infections in schools students and staff.
METHODS: In the 2020/2021 schoolyear, we administered PCR, antibody tests and questionnaires to a sample of primary and secondary schools students and staff, with data linkage to COVID-19 surveillance. We fitted logistic regression models to identify factors associated with infection.
RESULTS: We included 6799 students and 5090 staff in the autumn and 11952 students and 4569 staff in the spring/summer terms. Infections in students in autumn 2020 were related to the percentage of students eligible for free school meals. We found no statistical association between infection risk in primary and secondary schools and reported contact patterns between students and staff in either time period in our study. Using public transports was associated with increased risk in the autumn in students (aOR=1.72 (95%CI 1.31 to 2.25) and staff. One or more infections in the same household during either period was the strongest risk factor for infection in students, and more so among staff.
INTERPRETATION: Deprivation, community and household factors were more strongly associated with infection than contacts patterns at school; this suggests the additional school-based mitigation measures in England’s in 2020/21 likely helped reduce transmission risk in schools.
PMID:36621754 | DOI:10.1016/j.ijid.2022.12.030
