A new study published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that face-to-face classes in K-12 schools do not appear to lead to increases in COVID-19 compared to areas that only have online learning.
The CDC study noted that the week beginning Dec. 6, coronavirus cases among the general population of counties where K-12 schools were opened for face-to-face learning were similar to county rates. which were only online.
“CDC recommends that K-12 schools be the last configurations to close after all other mitigation measures have been used and the first to reopen when they can safely do so,” the authors wrote. ‘report.
As of Dec. 7, approximately 62% of K-12 school districts offered full or partial in-person learning, but reports of outbreaks in schools have been limited, according to the CDC.
Between March 1 and December 12, nearly 3 million cases of COVID-19 were reported in the U.S. in children, adolescents, and young adults.
The analysis found that the number of positive COVID-19 cases was lower among children 10 years and younger compared to older children and young adults.
Nearly 60 percent of the cases were in young adults between the ages of 18 and 24, according to the CDC, while children between the ages of 14 and 17 accounted for 16 percent of the cases.
Children aged 11 to 13 years accounted for 8% of cases and children aged 5 to 10 years accounted for 11% of cases. Children 4 years of age or younger accounted for 7.4% of cases.
The lower number of cases among younger children suggests that the risk of introducing and transmitting COVID-19 to child care centers and primary schools “could be lower” than the reopening of secondary schools and educational institutions. superior.
The data do not indicate that the highest number of cases among adults was preceded by increases among children or adolescents, according to the report.
“Schools provide a structured environment that can support adherence to critical mitigation measures to help prevent and curb the spread of COVID-19,” the authors wrote.
“When community transmission is higher, cases should be expected in schools and, as with any group environment, schools can contribute to the transmission of COVID-19, especially when mitigation measures are not implemented or followed such as universal and appropriate masking, ”they added.
The report found that the number of cases among young adults, however, was higher than in other age groups during the fall and summer, preceded by increases among other age groups, “suggesting that adults young people could contribute more to community outreach than younger children. ”