Children and the spread of COVID-19
Children represent a small fraction of confirmed COVID-19 cases, but researchers are divided on how susceptible they are to infection and how much they contribute to the disease’s spread. Some scientists point to a growing body of evidence suggesting that children are at lower risk of infection and are not responsible for the majority of transmission — and thus we can reopen schools. Others argue that the incidence of infection in children is lower than in adults partly because they haven’t been exposed to the virus as much — especially with many schools closed. Children are also not getting tested as often because they have mild or no symptoms. If this is the case, we’ll see infections spike in places where kids return to class.
Settling the debate will require large, high-quality population studies — some of which are already under way — that include antibody tests for previous infection. Scientists are also seeking answers to why children seem to suffer less from the infection, and how it might help the rest of us.
Nature | 4 min read
Settling the debate will require large, high-quality population studies — some of which are already under way — that include antibody tests for previous infection. Scientists are also seeking answers to why children seem to suffer less from the infection, and how it might help the rest of us.
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