Alliance for Pandemic Preparedness

August 25, 2020

Impacts of K-12 School Reopening on the COVID-19 Epidemic in Indiana USA

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  • [pre-print, not peer-reviewed] Espana et al. conducted a modeling study with varying degrees of school operating capacity and face-mask adherence to estimate the impact of a K-12 school reopening in Indiana on SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Their model indicated that, from August 24 to December 31, operating schools with high face-mask adherence would result in 3-times the number of infections compared to a scenario with schools operate remotely. Operating at reduced capacity with high face-mask adherence would result in a 12% increase in the number of infections. By contrast, reopening at full capacity with low face-mask adherence would result in 82-times more infections and 13-times more deaths.

Espana et al. (Aug 25, 2020). Impacts of K-12 School Reopening on the COVID-19 Epidemic in Indiana USA. Pre-print downloaded August 25 from https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.08.22.20179960