News Scan for Aug 17, 2022

Study suggests test-to-stay COVID-19 strategy in schools was effectiveUsing a test-to-stay (TTS) strategy in K-12 schools during the winter of 2021-22 resulted in substantial reduction in missed school days, according to a study yesterday in Pediatrics.The study, led by researchers from Duke University, looked at the impact of TTS on North Carolina schools where masking was considered optional and the Omicron variant became the dominant strain in the United States.The study enrolled 1,675 participants.

Students and staff who were eligible for enrollment had a non-household exposure to SARS-CoV-2 within or outside of school from Nov 29, 2021, to Jan 28, 2022, as identified through the school contact-tracing program, and were not experiencing symptoms at the time of enrollment.

Those enrolled were required to test using rapid antigen tests on the day they were notified of exposure, on day 3, and on day 5.Researchers identified 201 positive cases and a tertiary attack rate of 10% (95% confidence interval, 6% to 19%).

A total of 7,272 (89%) of potentially missed days were saved through the TTS strategy."We estimated one additional school-acquired case for every 21 TTS participants remaining in school buildings during the entire study period," the authors concluded. "Based on our data, a TTS approach allows more students and staff to remain in the classroom, with a modest increase in subsequent infections in optionally masked settings, even during the circulation of a highly transmissible variant." Aug 16 Pediatrics studyUniversal healthcare coverage tied to COVID-19 childhood vaccine uptakeCountries with more progress toward universal healthcare coverage (UHC) saw smaller decreases in childhood vaccination amid the health