May 21, 2021

Mask Use and Ventilation Improvements to Reduce COVID-19 Incidence in Elementary Schools — Georgia, November 16–December 11, 2020

Category: Article Summary

Topic: Transmission

Keywords (Tags): schools, transmission

• An analysis of COVID-19 incidence in K-5 public schools in Georgia (N=169 schools, 91,893 students) found that incidence was 37% lower in schools that required teachers and staff to wear masks and 39% lower in schools that improved ventilation. Incorporating ventilation strategies to dilute airborne particles (opening windows and doors and/or using fans) was associated with a 35% lower incidence of COVID-19, while dilution strategies in combination with filtration methods (use of HEPA filtration with or without purification using UV irradiation) were associated with a 48% lower incidence of COVID-19. 

Gettings et al. (May 21, 2021). Mask Use and Ventilation Improvements to Reduce COVID-19 Incidence in Elementary Schools — Georgia, November 16–December 11, 2020. MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7021e1