Classroom SARS-CoV-2 Transmission Seems Relatively Uncommon, Supporting the 3-Foot Separation Policy

In a U.S. study, SARS-CoV-2 case rates were similar whether ≥3 or ≥6 feet of student separation was advised; and in a Swiss study, seroprevalence in students mostly reflected community transmission.

A key controversy regarding spread of SARS-CoV-2 among school-age (K-12) children concerns the distance by which they should be separated to prevent transmission. In addition, the general risk for acquiring SARS-CoV-2 in the classroom has been debated. Two studies shed light on these issues.

The first study was a retrospective analysis of students and staff after the Massachusetts public schools reopened in the fall of 2020. Districts (all of which practiced universal masking) were categorized by requirement for minimum separation between students (≥3 feet or ≥6 feet). In all, 251 districts were analyzed, encompassing >537,000 students and nearly 100,000 staff. In multivariable regression, incidence of reported SARS-CoV-2 cases was similar a…

Reviewing Author

Neil M. Ampel, MD

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Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesCoccidioidomycosis Study Group (Past President, Secretary, Treasurer)

Neil M. Ampel, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesCoccidioidomycosis Study Group (Past President, Secretary, Treasurer)

Classroom SARS-CoV-2 Transmission Seems Relatively Uncommon, Supporting the 3-Foot Separation Policy

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