Alliance for Pandemic Preparedness

June 26, 2020

Shut and Re-Open the Role of Schools in the Spread of COVID-19 in Europe

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  • [pre-print, not peer-reviewed] Stage et al. compared daily hospitalization trends in northern European countries (Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Germany), and found that the growth rate of COVID-19 cases declined approximately 9 days after implementation of school closures.  
  • Limited school attendance did not appear to significantly affect transmission. 
  • Reopening of schools for all students in countries with low community transmission (Denmark and Norway) has not resulted in a significant increase in the growth rate of COVID-19 cases. Return of most students to school in countries with higher levels of community transmission (Germany) has been accompanied by increased transmission among students, but not school staff.  

Stage et al. (June 26, 2020). Shut and Re-Open the Role of Schools in the Spread of COVID-19 in Europe. Pre-print downloaded June 26 from https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.06.24.20139634