Upper Respiratory Infections in Schools and Childcare Centers Reopening after COVID-19 Dismissals, Hong Kong
Min Whui Fong, Nancy Leung, Benjamin J. Cowling, Peng Wu
Abstract
A large number of common cold outbreaks in Hong Kong schools and childcare centers during October-November 2020 led to territorywide school dismissals. Increased susceptibility to rhinoviruses during prolonged school closures and dismissals for coronavirus disease and varying effectiveness of nonpharmaceutical interventions may have heightened transmission of cold-causing viruses after school attendance resumed.
Topics & Concepts
OutbreakCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)AttendanceUpper respiratory infectionsCommon coldSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)2019-20 coronavirus outbreakTransmission (telecommunications)MedicinePsychological interventionPneumoniaPediatricsFamily medicineVirologyEnvironmental healthDiseaseInfectious disease (medical specialty)ImmunologyPolitical scienceInternal medicineNursingLawEngineeringElectrical engineeringInfection Control and VentilationCOVID-19 epidemiological studiesCOVID-19 and Mental Health