Children Can Bring SARS-CoV-2 Coronavirus Home

A team of researchers conducted a retrospective cohort study involving camp attendees and their household contacts to assess secondary transmission and factors associated with household transmission.

Published by the NEJM journal on July 21, 2021, these researchers interviewed 224 index patients who were 7 to 19 years of age and for whom there was evidence of a SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus infection based on molecular or antigen laboratory testing. 

Of 526 household contacts of these index patients, 46 (12%) of those who were tested had positive results for the virus.

Of the index patients who responded to questions regarding preventive measures, (67%) reported that they had maintained physical distancing and (34%) reported that they had always worn masks around contacts during the infectious period after returning home. 

In summary, these researchers say, 'When feasible, children and adolescents with known exposure to SARS-CoV-2 or a diagnosis of Covid-19 should remain at home and maintain physical distance from household members.'