Infection prevention guidelines and considerations for paediatric risk groups when reopening primary schools during COVID-19 pandemic, Norway, April 2020

Euro Surveill. 2020 Jun;25(22):2000921. doi: 10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2020.25.22.2000921.

Abstract

In response to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, most countries implemented school closures. In Norway, schools closed on 13 March 2020. The evidence of effect on disease transmission was limited, while negative consequences were evident. Before reopening, risk-assessment for paediatric risk groups was performed, concluding that most children can attend school with few conditions requiring preventative homeschooling. We here present infection prevention and control guidelines for primary schools and recommendations for paediatric risk groups.

Keywords: COVID-19; infection prevention and control guidelines; paediatric risk groups; primary schools; school closure; transmission of COVID-19 in children.

MeSH terms

  • Betacoronavirus
  • COVID-19
  • Child
  • Coronavirus Infections / epidemiology
  • Coronavirus Infections / prevention & control*
  • Coronavirus*
  • Guidelines as Topic
  • Humans
  • Norway / epidemiology
  • Pandemics / prevention & control*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / epidemiology
  • Pneumonia, Viral / prevention & control*
  • Risk Assessment
  • Risk Factors
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Schools / organization & administration*