1. SARS-CoV-2 Acquisition and Immune Pathogenesis Among School-Aged Learners in Four Diverse Schools
- Author
-
Dan M. Cooper, Allen Jankeel, Kirsten Kasper, Annamarie Stehli, Nanette V. Lopez, Charles Golden, Bernadette Boden-Albala, Jessica Ardo, Michael Z. Zulu, Mary E. Londoño, Andria Meyer, Curt Condon, Casey M. Schreiber, Izabela Coimbra Ibraim, Diana Stephens, Ricky Camplain, Erlinda R Ulloa, Clayton Chau, Michael Weiss, Shlomit Radom-Aizik, and Ilhem Messaoudi
- Subjects
Male ,Cellular immunity ,Pediatrics ,California ,COVID-19 Testing ,0302 clinical medicine ,Pandemic ,Medicine ,030212 general & internal medicine ,Child ,Lung ,Pediatric ,Immunity, Cellular ,School age child ,Distance ,Incidence ,Age Factors ,Humoral ,Infectious Diseases ,Host-Pathogen Interactions ,Public Health and Health Services ,Female ,medicine.symptom ,Infection ,medicine.medical_specialty ,2019-20 coronavirus outbreak ,Adolescent ,Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) ,Distancing ,Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) ,education ,Special needs ,Asymptomatic ,Article ,Education ,Education, Distance ,Paediatrics and Reproductive Medicine ,Vaccine Related ,03 medical and health sciences ,Immune pathogenesis ,Biodefense ,030225 pediatrics ,Humans ,Students ,Modalities ,SARS-CoV-2 ,business.industry ,Prevention ,Immunity ,COVID-19 ,Phlebotomy ,Immunity, Humoral ,Emerging Infectious Diseases ,Population Study Article ,Family medicine ,Communicable Disease Control ,Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health ,Immunization ,Cellular ,business ,human activities ,Demography - Abstract
Background Understanding SARS-CoV-2 infection in children is necessary to reopen schools safely. Methods We measured SARS-CoV-2 infection in 320 learners [10.5 ± 2.1 (sd); 7–17 y.o.] at four diverse schools with either remote or on-site learning. Schools A and B served low-income Hispanic learners; school C served many special-needs learners, and all provided predominantly remote instruction. School D served middle- and upper-income learners, with predominantly on-site instruction. Testing occurred in the fall (2020), and 6–8 weeks later during the fall-winter surge (notable for a tenfold increase in COVID-19 cases). Immune responses and mitigation fidelity were also measured. Results We found SARS-CoV-2 infections in 17 learners only during the surge. School A (97% remote learners) had the highest infection (10/70, 14.3%, p Conclusions Schools can implement successful mitigation strategies across a wide range of student diversity. Despite asymptomatic to mild SARS-CoV-2 infection, children generate robust humoral and cellular immune responses. Impact Successful COVID-19 mitigation was implemented across a diverse range of schools. School-associated SARS-CoV-2 infections reflect regional rates rather than remote or on-site learning. Seropositive school-aged children with asymptomatic to mild SARS-CoV-2 infections generate robust humoral and cellular immunity.
- Published
- 2021