January 4, 2021

Longitudinal Testing for Respiratory and Gastrointestinal Shedding of SARS-CoV-2 in Day Care Centres in Hesse, Germany

Category: Article Summary

Topic: Testing and Treatment

Keywords (Tags): children, germany, testing

A longitudinal study of children (n=859, age 3 months – 8 years) and staff (n=376) from daycare centers in Germany conducted from June-September 2020 found that detection of either respiratory or gastrointestinal shedding of SARS-CoV-2 RNA was rare in the context of limited community activity and with facility-based infection prevention measures. Of 7,366 buccal mucosa swabs and 5,907 anal swabs analyzed, no respiratory or gastrointestinal shedding of SARS-CoV-2 was detected in any of the children. Shedding was detected in two staff members, one of whom was asymptomatic, and one who was symptomatic and did not attend the facility on that day.

Hoehl et al. (Jan 3, 2021). Longitudinal Testing for Respiratory and Gastrointestinal Shedding of SARS-CoV-2 in Day Care Centres in Hesse, Germany. Clinical Infectious Diseases. https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciaa1912