Research from the United States suggests that sighing parents can bring relief, as school may not be the most likely source of Covid-19 infection among children and adolescents.
According to the study, children are at greater risk of being infected by a family member than their peers at school.
Led by researchers at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, in collaboration with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the study is based on interviews with approximately 400 parents and a list of children under 18 tested for Covid-19 between September and November (2020).
First, the study shows that the ongoing efforts made in schools and childcare programs to prevent the spread of Covid-19 appear to be paying off, as schools were found to be the main source of the disease.
That news could be encouraging for many parents, especially as children have been back in school for several months in some countries, while others are preparing to reopen.
This could be explained by a number of reasons.
Children may be more likely to catch the virus from family members who would be less strict on safety measures, unlike school.
However, it could also be linked to lower rates of disease in children, making for a lower risk of disease in school settings.
Specifically, the study reveals that children and adolescents who tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus were more likely to have attended family gatherings or visited their homes, and their parents were less likely to wear a face mask.
Similarly, children attending a school that tested positive said that children or other staff did not take safety measures such as wearing a mask.
Finally, positive children were more likely to attend gatherings such as weddings, parties, play dates or funerals.
Although the study is not unlimited – such as limited sample size and geographical zone – it nevertheless demonstrates how appropriate safety measures, once implemented, are still necessary in limiting the spread of the virus. – AFP Relaxnews