Surveillance of COVID-19 school outbreaks, Germany, March to August 2020
Eveline Otte im Kampe, Ann-Sophie Lehfeld, Silke Buda, Udo Buchholz, Walter Haas
Abstract
Mitigation of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in Germany included school closures in early March 2020. After reopening in April, preventive measures were taken in schools. We analysed national surveillance system data on COVID-19 school outbreaks during different time periods. After reopening, smaller outbreaks (average: 2.2/week) occurred despite low incidence in the general population. School closures might have a detrimental effect on children and should be applied only cautiously and in combination with other measures.
Topics & Concepts
OutbreakCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)PandemicIncidence (geometry)2019-20 coronavirus outbreakMedicineSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)PopulationEnvironmental healthDemographyPediatricsDiseaseInfectious disease (medical specialty)VirologyPathologyOpticsPhysicsSociologyCOVID-19 epidemiological studiesCOVID-19 and Mental HealthCOVID-19 Clinical Research Studies