Alliance for Pandemic Preparedness

February 23, 2021

Reopening Schools in the Context of Increasing COVID-19 Community Transmission: The French Experience

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Children and adolescents in France had lower risk of a positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR test and lower incidence of infection compared to adults during the first 2 months of the 2020-2021 school year (August to October 2020), though risk among older adolescents was close to that of adults. Schools re-opened with infection control measures in place, such as mandatory face coverings for staff and secondary school students. By October, children aged 0-5 years and 6-17 were 54% and 31% less likely to have a positive PCR test compared to adults. Compared to adults during the 2-month study period, children aged 0-5 years, 6-10, 11-14 were 91%, 69%, 36% less likely to acquire SARS-CoV-2 infection, respectively, while children aged 15-17 years were 7% more likely to get infected. The proportion of the infected who were asymptomatic was 57% in August and 48% in October.

Gras-Le Guen et al. (Feb 15, 2021). Reopening Schools in the Context of Increasing COVID-19 Community Transmission: The French Experience. Archives de Pédiatrie. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arcped.2021.02.001