ABSTRACT
Objetivo: Conocer la evolución de la pandemia COVID-19 en ámbito escolar y los efectos derivados de la incursión de nuevas variantes. Diseño: Estudio observacional descriptivo longitudinal el primer trimestre del curso académico 2021/22. Emplazamiento: Atención comunitaria. Participantes: Alumnado escolarizado en educación infantil, primaria, ESO y bachillerato. Intervenciones: estudio observacional. Mediciones principales: Se calcularon incidencia acumulada porcentual por curso, ámbito de exposición y periodo de seguimiento, porcentaje de casos según estado de vacunación y correlación entre incidencia acumulada semanal escolar y población general. Resultados: Fueron notificados 1.526 casos, con una incidencia acumulada de 3,17% y escolar de 0,48%; 20,9% estaba vacunado. A lo largo del periodo de seguimiento, destaca el cambio en la incidencia a partir de la semana 49/21, coincidiendo con el inicio de circulación de la variante ómicron en España, con aumento de casos secundarios en todos los niveles educativos, especialmente en bachillerato. Se encuentra una correlación alta entre incidencia provincial/escolar (R2 = 0,59). Conclusiones: La incidencia de COVID-19 en el ámbito escolar se ha visto afectada por la circulación comunitaria de nuevas variantes. Se identificaron dos escenarios de propagación coincidentes con el patrón comunitario. Los resultados apoyan la hipótesis de que los centros educativos reflejan la transmisión comunitaria. El refuerzo de las medidas de prevención y vigilancia a nivel comunitario repercutirá favorablemente en los ámbitos escolares(AU)
Objective: The objective of this study was to know the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic in the school setting, and the effect of the new variants on it. Design: It is an observational longitudinal descriptive study during the first term of the academic year 21/22. Site: Community health services. Participants: Preschool, elementary, secondary, and high school students. Interventions: none. Main measurements: We calculated cumulative incidence stratified by grade, source of infection and follow-up period, percentage of vaccinated cases and correlation between cumulative incidence in schooled children per week and cumulative incidence in the general population. Results: 1526 cases were reported, and the cumulative incidence was 3,17% and 0,48% in within-school acquired cases. 20,9% were vaccinated. During follow-up, there was an important change in incidence from weeks 49/21 on, at the time Omicron began to appear in Spain, with an increase in secondary cases, mostly high school students. We found a high correlation between general population and schooled children's cumulative incidence (R2 = 0,59). Conclusions: SARS-CoV-2 transmission in school settings has been affected by new circulating variants. Two propagation scenarios were identified, and they were like the community propagation pattern. This supports the hypothesis that school settings reflect the transmission in the community. Reinforcement of preventive measures and surveillance would have a positive effect on school settings.(AU)
Subject(s)
Humans , Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus , Coronavirus Infections , Pandemics , Education, Primary and Secondary , Students , Vaccination , Spain , Public Health , Primary Health CareABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to know the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic in the school setting, and the effect of the new variants on it. DESIGN: It is an observational longitudinal descriptive study during the first term of the academic year 21/22. SITE: Community health services. PARTICIPANTS: Preschool, elementary, secondary, and high school students. INTERVENTIONS: none. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: We calculated cumulative incidence stratified by grade, source of infection and follow-up period, percentage of vaccinated cases and correlation between cumulative incidence in schooled children per week and cumulative incidence in the general population. RESULTS: 1526 cases were reported, and the cumulative incidence was 3,17% and 0,48% in within-school acquired cases. 20,9% were vaccinated. During follow-up, there was an important change in incidence from weeks 49/21 on, at the time Omicron began to appear in Spain, with an increase in secondary cases, mostly high school students. We found a high correlation between general population and schooled children's cumulative incidence (R2 = 0,59). CONCLUSIONS: SARS-CoV-2 transmission in school settings has been affected by new circulating variants. Two propagation scenarios were identified, and they were like the community propagation pattern. This supports the hypothesis that school settings reflect the transmission in the community. Reinforcement of preventive measures and surveillance would have a positive effect on school settings.
