Lack of correlation between school reopening and trends in adult COVID-19 hospitalisations and death rates during the Delta and early Omicron periods: An ecological analysis of five countries - 13/02/25
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Summary |
Objectives |
In this ecological study, we describe SARS-CoV-2 case incidence and COVID-19 hospitalisation and death rates for school-aged and adult populations during the Delta and early Omicron periods, before and after schools reopened in five countries.
Methods |
Data were extracted from government websites. Cases and COVID-19 hospitalisation and death incidence rates were calculated during the Delta and early Omicron periods in Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland and the United Kingdom, for two weeks preceding and six weeks after schools reopened. We summarised stringency of public health measures (GRI), COVID-19 vaccination rates by age and SARS-CoV-2 testing rates.
Results |
During Delta, cases increased in 2/7 sites after schools reopened, hospitalisations increased in 1/5 sites, while deaths decreased in one and increased then decreased in another. During Omicron, cases increased in 2/8 sites, hospitalisations increased in 1/6 sites and deaths increased in 1/4 sites. The hospitalisation and death rate trends that commenced before schools reopened continued on the same trajectory after schools reopened. Vaccination rates in ≥70-year-olds were 75–100% during Delta and 95–100% during Omicron. Wide variations in testing rates may explain differences in case incidence. GRI were higher and more variable during Delta than during Omicron.
Conclusions |
Reopening schools did not change the existing trajectory of COVID-19 rates.
Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.Highlights |
• | School closures were used during the COVID-19 pandemic to limit the transmission of infection. |
• | School reopening did not alter existing trajectories of COVID-19 hospitalisations and deaths during Delta and early Omicron. |
• | No consistent patterns in cases, hospitalisations or deaths despite school reopenings or changes to public health measures. |
• | Understanding the role of schools in transmission is critical for pandemic planning and response. |
• | Pre-approved pandemic research protocols are needed along with the documentation of the harms of school closures. |
Keywords : COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, School, Community transmission
Plan
Vol 90 - N° 2
Article 106390- février 2025 Retour au numéro
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