People under the age of 20 are about half as likely to be infected with COVID-19 as adults, and they are also less likely to pass the disease on to others, according to a new modeling study.
Previous studies have found differences in the symptoms and clinical course of COVID-19 in children compared to adults.
Researchers have also reported a lower proportion of children experiencing COVID-19 compared to older age groups.
To better understand child vulnerability and infectivity, researchers from the University of Haifa and colleagues applied mathematical and statistical transmission models within households to a dataset of COVID-19 test results from a congested city. Bnei Brak, Israel.
The new study, published in the journal PLOS Computational Biology, covered 637 households and all their members underwent a PCR test for active disease in spring 2020.
Some people in the study also received a serology test for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies.
By changing model parameters to fit the data, the researchers found that people under 20 years of age were 43 percent less prone to COVID-19 than those over 20.
With an estimated infection at 63 percent of adults, children are also less likely to spread COVID-19 to others, they said.
The researchers also found that children are more likely than adults to receive a negative PCR result despite being infected, which may explain reports worldwide that a higher proportion lower number of children admitted compared to adults.
Future computer research could study distribution dynamics in other settings, such as nursing homes and schools, the researchers said.