SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.1.7 susceptibility and infectiousness of children and adults deduced from investigations of childcare centre outbreaks, Germany, 2021
Anna Loenenbach, Inessa Markus, Ann-Sophie Lehfeld, Matthias an der Heiden, Walter Haas, Maya Kiegele, A Ponzi, Barbara Unger-Goldinger, Cornelius Weidenauer, Helen Schlosser, Alexander Beile, Udo Buchholz
Abstract
We investigated three SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.1.7 childcare centre and related household outbreaks. Despite group cohorting, cases occurred in almost all groups, i.e. also among persons without close contact. Children's secondary attack rates (SAR) were similar to adults (childcare centres: 23% vs 30%; p = 0.15; households: 32% vs 39%; p = 0.27); child- and adult-induced household outbreaks also led to similar SAR. With the advent of B.1.1.7, susceptibility and infectiousness of children and adults seem to converge. Public health measures should be revisited accordingly.