Dödligt virus från Kina orsakar panik (SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19)

/.../Higher SARS-CoV-2 primary case and transmission rates might have occurred in schools and ECEC settings if the epidemic had escalated or if extensive testing, tracing, quarantine of exposed close contacts, and other public health mitigation measures were not simultaneously and effectively implemented. Although there are no specific data on adherence to these measures by the public in NSW, several strategies were in place to support a high compliance rate, including for quarantine of close contacts identified in this study. These strategies included regular wellbeing calls by public health staff to facilitate access to essential goods without breaching isolation, and issuing of fines to people found in breach of isolation requirements during random house calls by NSW police. Interpretation of our findings needs to be made in the context of the epidemic characteristics and COVID-19 response in NSW.

/.../Although this study did not aim to assess the impact of school operation on the NSW epidemic, and it is unlikely that the effect of school closure alone can be disentangled from other broader pandemic control measures,29 our findings provide evidence that SARS-CoV-2 transmission in educational settings can be kept low and manageable in the context of an effective epidemic response. These data should inform modelling and decision making regarding planned return of children and teachers to classrooms as pandemic control evolves. Where pandemic mitigation measures result in strong disease control, we anticipate that schools can be open in a safe way, for the educational, social, and economic good of the community as we adapt to living with COVID-19.