May 20, 2021

Characteristics of COVID-19 Cases and Outbreaks at Child Care Facilities — District of Columbia, July–December 2020

Category: Article Summary

Topic: Transmission

Keywords (Tags): schools, transmission

• 24% of 469 licensed childcare facilities in Washington, DC reported at least one SARS-CoV-2 infection from July to December 2020, but facility-associated outbreaks (defined as two or more linked cases within a facility) only occurred in 6% of facilities. Among the 316 total cases, 56% were among teachers or staff and 49% occurred during outbreaks. Facilities were at increased risk for an outbreak if they had been operating for <3 years (RR=3.3; 95%CI 1.4-7.8), if symptomatic persons sought testing ≥3 days after symptom onset (RR=2.0; 95%CI 1.0-4.0), or if persons with asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infections were at the facility (RR=2.1; 95%CI 1.1-4.0). 100% of facilities reported mandatory mask wearing by teachers and staff and more than 90% limited class sizes and sent symptomatic employees home immediately.

Kim et al. (May 21, 2021). Characteristics of COVID-19 Cases and Outbreaks at Child Care Facilities — District of Columbia, July–December 2020. MMWR. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7020a3