University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

What is known about the use of and effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of school closure and other social distancing practices on infection rates and transmission during coronavirus outbreaks?

Outcomes of School Closure and Management Practices during Coronavirus Outbreaks in the UK: A Systematic Review 

 - Databases used: PubMed, WHO Global Research Database, and MedRxiv
- Initially, 616 articles were identified from database searches.
- After screening and assessment 16 articles were chosen to be included in the review. 9 were published studies and 7 were non-peer-reviewed studies. 


Methods for Conducting Review

- The only study in the review that examined the effect of school closures separately to other social distancing measures.
- Ferguson and colleagues used UK population and schools data was used with data on transmission dynamics reported from the COVID-19 outbreak in Wuhan. 
- Using data from previous influenza outbreaks, they assumed that per-capita contacts within schools were double those in households, workplaces, or the community. 
- They concluded that approximately ⅓ of COVID-19 transmission occurred in schools. 
- The scenario modeled proposed a closure of all schools and 25% of universities remain open. This resulted in household contact rates for student families increasing by 50% during closure. Contacts in the community increase by 25% during closure. 
- School closure as an isolated measure was predicted to reduce total deaths by 2-4% during a COVID-19 outbreak in the UK. 
- Concluded that school closure alone would be insufficient to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic and a combination of measures would be most effective in suppressing the spread of COVID-19. 


A Modeling Study on the Impact of School Closures in the UK on COVID-19

- There are few data available from the literature that can sufficiently guide countries on the use of school closures along with other social distancing practices during the COVID-19 pandemic. 
- Currently, the evidence to support national school closures to combat COVID-19 is weak and data from influenza outbreaks suggests that school closures do not mitigate the effects of the virus because of "COVID-19's high transmissibility and the apparent low clinical effect on school children". Data also suggests that school closures can have profound economic and social consequences. 
- More research is needed on the effectiveness of school closures and other school social distancing practices to inform COVID-19 related policies. 
- Policy makers must strike the balance between protecting the health of populations and preventing economic and social disruption when choosing when and how to reopen schools. 

Learn Before

Related