Session Type: ePosters
Session Title: ePosters
Authors(s): R. Cordery (1), L. Reeves (2), J. Zhou (2), A. Rowan (2), P. Watber (2), C. Rosadas (2), P. Freemont (2), M. Crone (2), A. Cowley (1), G. Zelent (1), K. Bisset (1), H. Le Blond (1), S. Regmi (1), M. Mindlin (1), T. Lamagni (1), W. Barclay (2), G. Taylor (2), S. Sriskandan (2)
Authors Affiliations(s): (1) Public Health England, London UK, United Kingdom, (2) Imperial College, United Kingdom
Background:
Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 by children and young people in school settings has not been directly evaluated, nor the main mechanisms of transmission identified. The study set out to undertake sequential longitudinal sampling of infected children and their contacts in both the home and school, and to study environmental contamination in these settings.
Methods:Cases of COVID-19 were identified through statutory notification and matched to schools reporting cases. Cases of COVID-19 and their contacts from school and home were longitudinally sampled and tested for SARS-CoV-2 as were surfaces and air in the home and school environment.
Results:Five cases of SARS-CoV-2 were recruited from five schools comprising two primary, one Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND), and two secondary schools. Although all cases had attended school in the 48 hours prior to a positive test, onward transmission to participating immediate class contacts was not detected. Evidence of more widespread transmission within children remaining in school was not identified with the exception of one unexpected cluster of three asymptomatic cases in one school. Children infected with SARS-CoV-2 shed viral RNA for up to 10 days from symptom onset, and levels peaked between days 5 - 8 of symptoms. Variant of Concern B1.1.7 was identified in some of the cases studied. Swabs from classroom surfaces revealed limited contamination with no discernible difference between the case and control classrooms. Swabs taken from the washrooms were more frequently contaminated although amounts of RNA were very low. Air samples obtained weekly in classrooms and washrooms were negative for SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Surface contamination was identified in all case households to some degree. Frequent sites of contamination were electronic equipment as well as hands.
Conclusions:This study found viral load and infectivity in children at similar levels to those found in adults. Surface contamination was detected in the home of cases and where the case had a high viral load, this persisted for up to 10 days after clearance of the virus by the child. So far the study has found no evidence of routine transmission from symptomatic children within schools.
Keyword(s): school, transmission, Covid-19COI Institutional Grants: Yes
COI Other: The study was funded by UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) in partnership with the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR).
Session Type: ePosters
Session Title: ePosters
Authors(s): R. Cordery (1), L. Reeves (2), J. Zhou (2), A. Rowan (2), P. Watber (2), C. Rosadas (2), P. Freemont (2), M. Crone (2), A. Cowley (1), G. Zelent (1), K. Bisset (1), H. Le Blond (1), S. Regmi (1), M. Mindlin (1), T. Lamagni (1), W. Barclay (2), G. Taylor (2), S. Sriskandan (2)
Authors Affiliations(s): (1) Public Health England, London UK, United Kingdom, (2) Imperial College, United Kingdom
Background:
Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 by children and young people in school settings has not been directly evaluated, nor the main mechanisms of transmission identified. The study set out to undertake sequential longitudinal sampling of infected children and their contacts in both the home and school, and to study environmental contamination in these settings.
Methods:Cases of COVID-19 were identified through statutory notification and matched to schools reporting cases. Cases of COVID-19 and their contacts from school and home were longitudinally sampled and tested for SARS-CoV-2 as were surfaces and air in the home and school environment.
Results:Five cases of SARS-CoV-2 were recruited from five schools comprising two primary, one Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND), and two secondary schools. Although all cases had attended school in the 48 hours prior to a positive test, onward transmission to participating immediate class contacts was not detected. Evidence of more widespread transmission within children remaining in school was not identified with the exception of one unexpected cluster of three asymptomatic cases in one school. Children infected with SARS-CoV-2 shed viral RNA for up to 10 days from symptom onset, and levels peaked between days 5 - 8 of symptoms. Variant of Concern B1.1.7 was identified in some of the cases studied. Swabs from classroom surfaces revealed limited contamination with no discernible difference between the case and control classrooms. Swabs taken from the washrooms were more frequently contaminated although amounts of RNA were very low. Air samples obtained weekly in classrooms and washrooms were negative for SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Surface contamination was identified in all case households to some degree. Frequent sites of contamination were electronic equipment as well as hands.
Conclusions:This study found viral load and infectivity in children at similar levels to those found in adults. Surface contamination was detected in the home of cases and where the case had a high viral load, this persisted for up to 10 days after clearance of the virus by the child. So far the study has found no evidence of routine transmission from symptomatic children within schools.
Keyword(s): school, transmission, Covid-19COI Institutional Grants: Yes
COI Other: The study was funded by UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) in partnership with the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR).
Public Health England London UK
Session Type: ePosters
Session Title: ePosters
Authors(s): R. Cordery (1), L. Reeves (2), J. Zhou (2), A. Rowan (2), P. Watber (2), C. Rosadas (2), P. Freemont (2), M. Crone (2), A. Cowley (1), G. Zelent (1), K. Bisset (1), H. Le Blond (1), S. Regmi (1), M. Mindlin (1), T. Lamagni (1), W. Barclay (2), G. Taylor (2), S. Sriskandan (2)
Authors Affiliations(s): (1) Public Health England, London UK, United Kingdom, (2) Imperial College, United Kingdom
Background:
Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 by children and young people in school settings has not been directly evaluated, nor the main mechanisms of transmission identified. The study set out to undertake sequential longitudinal sampling of infected children and their contacts in both the home and school, and to study environmental contamination in these settings.
Methods:Cases of COVID-19 were identified through statutory notification and matched to schools reporting cases. Cases of COVID-19 and their contacts from school and home were longitudinally sampled and tested for SARS-CoV-2 as were surfaces and air in the home and school environment.
Results:Five cases of SARS-CoV-2 were recruited from five schools comprising two primary, one Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND), and two secondary schools. Although all cases had attended school in the 48 hours prior to a positive test, onward transmission to participating immediate class contacts was not detected. Evidence of more widespread transmission within children remaining in school was not identified with the exception of one unexpected cluster of three asymptomatic cases in one school. Children infected with SARS-CoV-2 shed viral RNA for up to 10 days from symptom onset, and levels peaked between days 5 - 8 of symptoms. Variant of Concern B1.1.7 was identified in some of the cases studied. Swabs from classroom surfaces revealed limited contamination with no discernible difference between the case and control classrooms. Swabs taken from the washrooms were more frequently contaminated although amounts of RNA were very low. Air samples obtained weekly in classrooms and washrooms were negative for SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Surface contamination was identified in all case households to some degree. Frequent sites of contamination were electronic equipment as well as hands.
Conclusions:This study found viral load and infectivity in children at similar levels to those found in adults. Surface contamination was detected in the home of cases and where the case had a high viral load, this persisted for up to 10 days after clearance of the virus by the child. So far the study has found no evidence of routine transmission from symptomatic children within schools.
Keyword(s): school, transmission, Covid-19COI Institutional Grants: Yes
COI Other: The study was funded by UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) in partnership with the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR).
Session Type: ePosters
Session Title: ePosters
Authors(s): R. Cordery (1), L. Reeves (2), J. Zhou (2), A. Rowan (2), P. Watber (2), C. Rosadas (2), P. Freemont (2), M. Crone (2), A. Cowley (1), G. Zelent (1), K. Bisset (1), H. Le Blond (1), S. Regmi (1), M. Mindlin (1), T. Lamagni (1), W. Barclay (2), G. Taylor (2), S. Sriskandan (2)
Authors Affiliations(s): (1) Public Health England, London UK, United Kingdom, (2) Imperial College, United Kingdom
Background:
Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 by children and young people in school settings has not been directly evaluated, nor the main mechanisms of transmission identified. The study set out to undertake sequential longitudinal sampling of infected children and their contacts in both the home and school, and to study environmental contamination in these settings.
Methods:Cases of COVID-19 were identified through statutory notification and matched to schools reporting cases. Cases of COVID-19 and their contacts from school and home were longitudinally sampled and tested for SARS-CoV-2 as were surfaces and air in the home and school environment.
Results:Five cases of SARS-CoV-2 were recruited from five schools comprising two primary, one Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND), and two secondary schools. Although all cases had attended school in the 48 hours prior to a positive test, onward transmission to participating immediate class contacts was not detected. Evidence of more widespread transmission within children remaining in school was not identified with the exception of one unexpected cluster of three asymptomatic cases in one school. Children infected with SARS-CoV-2 shed viral RNA for up to 10 days from symptom onset, and levels peaked between days 5 - 8 of symptoms. Variant of Concern B1.1.7 was identified in some of the cases studied. Swabs from classroom surfaces revealed limited contamination with no discernible difference between the case and control classrooms. Swabs taken from the washrooms were more frequently contaminated although amounts of RNA were very low. Air samples obtained weekly in classrooms and washrooms were negative for SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Surface contamination was identified in all case households to some degree. Frequent sites of contamination were electronic equipment as well as hands.
Conclusions:This study found viral load and infectivity in children at similar levels to those found in adults. Surface contamination was detected in the home of cases and where the case had a high viral load, this persisted for up to 10 days after clearance of the virus by the child. So far the study has found no evidence of routine transmission from symptomatic children within schools.
Keyword(s): school, transmission, Covid-19COI Institutional Grants: Yes
COI Other: The study was funded by UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) in partnership with the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR).