New research led by Seattle’s Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center outlines the steps needed to safely reopen schools during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Widespread testing, contact tracing and case isolation would allow relaxation of physical distancing, as well as opening of schools, without a surge in local cases and deaths,” the team of scientists concluded after analyzing data from Seattle and King County in Washington state.
The researchers call for continued physical distancing before schools open and vigilant monitoring with broadly implemented contact tracing after students return.
“School opening unfortunately tips the balance of transmission and causes death rates to increase dramatically,” the paper says, adding that widespread testing, case isolation and contact tracing could allow “for coexistence with SARS-CoV-2 including safe schools reopening in King County.”
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Although the researchers use King County as a case study, the findings could also inform the broader national discussion over the reopening of schools.
University of Washington researchers and independent scientists also contributed to the study. The paper, which has not yet been peer reviewed, is available for preview on the health research preprint site medRxiv.
Washington’s “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order was issued in late March in response to the pandemic. Public Health – Seattle & King County currently reports more than 17,000 cases, and 687 deaths from COVID-19 illness. The Fred Hutch researchers report that more than three quarters of King County residents would have been infected and 17,000 more people would have died in the county before May 15 if not for social distancing measures which reduced transmission.
The Seattle Public Schools board approved a reopening plan on Aug. 12 that includes a remote start for the upcoming school year. The paper’s authors argue that reducing community transmission of the virus would be even more challenging if schools were to reopen in the fall and that urgent case reductions are needed first.
Click on the PDF link at medRxiv for more on the methodology and findings.
