Children are more likely to get Covid-19 from family gatherings, compared to in school, according to a study. — AFP
Research from the United States suggests that parents can breathe a sigh of relief, as school may not be the most likely source of Covid-19 infection among children and teenagers.
According to the study, children have a greater risk of being infected by a family member than by their classmates at school.
Led by researchers at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, in collaboration with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the study is based on interviews with around 400 parents and on a list of children under the age of 18 who were tested for Covid-19 between last September and November (2020).
First, the study shows that the continuous efforts carried out in schools and childcare programmes to prevent the spread of Covid-19 seem to be paying off, as schools were not found to be the principal source of infection.
That news could prove reassuring for many parents, especially since children have been back in school for several months in certain countries, while others are preparing to reopen progressively.
Several reasons could explain this.
Children could be more likely to catch the virus from family members who might not be as strict with safety precautions, unlike at school.
However, it could also be linked to lower rates of infection in children, making for a lower risk of infection in school settings.
In detail, the study reveals that children and teenagers who tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus were more likely to have attended family gatherings or had visitors to their homes, and their parents were less likely to wear face masks.
Similarly, children attending school who tested positive generally reported that other children or staff members were not taking safety measures like mask-wearing.
Finally, children who tested positive were more likely to have attended gatherings such as weddings, parties, play dates or funerals.
While the study is not without limitations – such as the sample size and limited geographical zone – it nevertheless shows how appropriate safety measures, when they are applied, remain essential in limiting the spread of the virus. – AFP Relaxnews
