March 19, 2021

Low SARS-CoV-2 Transmission in Elementary Schools — Salt Lake County, Utah, December 3, 2020–January 31, 2021

Category: Article Summary

Topic: Transmission

Keywords (Tags): schools, transmission

• Despite high community incidence and an inability to space classroom seats at least 6 feet apart, there was low SARS-CoV-2 transmission and no school-related outbreaks in 20 Salt Lake County elementary schools. Schools documented high mask adherence among students and also implemented multiple strategies to limit transmission. The authors suggest that these findings add to evidence that in-person elementary schools can be opened safely with minimal in-school transmission when critical prevention strategies are implemented, including mask use, even though maintaining at least 6 feet between students’ seats is not possible.

Hershow, R et al. Low SARS-CoV-2 Transmission in Elementary Schools — Salt Lake County, Utah, December 3, 2020–January 31, 2021. MMWR. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7012e3