SARS CoV-2 seroprevalence in a US school district during COVID-19

Benjamin Lee; Beth D Kirkpatrick; Sally Cook; Sean S M Bullis; Benjamin Grebber; Nancy R Graham; Marya Carmolli; Dorothy Dickson; Sean A Diehl

doi:10.1136/bmjpo-2021-001259

BMJ Paediatrics Open (Oct 2021)

SARS CoV-2 seroprevalence in a US school district during COVID-19

Benjamin Lee,
Beth D Kirkpatrick,
Sally Cook,
Sean S M Bullis,
Benjamin Grebber,
Nancy R Graham,
Marya Carmolli,
Dorothy Dickson,
Sean A Diehl

Affiliations

Benjamin Lee: Department of Pediatrics, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT, USA
Beth D Kirkpatrick: Department of Medicine, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont, USA
Sally Cook: Vermont Department of Health, Burlington, Vermont, USA
Sean S M Bullis: Department of Medicine, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont, USA
Benjamin Grebber: University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT, USA
Nancy R Graham: Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont, USA
Marya Carmolli: Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont, USA
Dorothy Dickson: Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont, USA
Sean A Diehl: Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont, USA

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjpo-2021-001259
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 5, no. 1

Abstract

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Reduced symptomatology and access to testing in children have led to underestimates of paediatric COVID-19 prevalence and raised concerns about school safety. To explore COVID-19 prevalence and risk factors in school settings, we conducted a SARS-CoV-2 serosurvey in a Vermont, USA school district in December 2020. Among 336 students (63%) and 196 teachers/staff (37%), adjusted seroprevalence was 4.7% (95% CI 2.9 to 7.2) and was lowest in preK-5 students (4–10 Years). Seroprevalence was 10-fold higher than corresponding state PCR data but was low overall with no evidence of onward transmissions. These results further support feasibility of in-person learning during COVID-19 with appropriate mitigation measures.

Published in BMJ Paediatrics Open

ISSN: 2399-9772 (Online)
Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Medicine: Pediatrics
Website: https://bmjpaedsopen.bmj.com

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