Weekly SARS-CoV-2 Sentinel Surveillance in Primary Schools, Kindergartens, and Nurseries, Germany, June‒November 2020

Abstract

We investigated severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infections in primary schools, kindergartens, and nurseries in Germany. Of 3,169 oropharyngeal swab specimens, only 2 were positive by real-time reverse transcription PCR. Asymptomatic children attending these institutions do not appear to be driving the pandemic when appropriate infection control measures are used.

Keywords: COVID-19; Germany; SARS-CoV-2; childcare; coronavirus disease; coronaviruses; kindergartens; nurseries; primary schools; respiratory infections; sentinel; severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; surveillance; viruses; zoonoses.

Figure 1

Weekly SARS-CoV-2 sentinel surveillance in primary schools, kindergartens, and nurseries, Germany, June‒November 2020.Timeline of Münchner Virenwächter study in context of pandemic activity in Munich, Germany. The 7-day incidence rates were derived from the national surveillance system according to the German Infection Protection Act, Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority as of November 28th, 2020. rRT-PCR, real-time reverse transcription PCR; SARS-CoV-2, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. *Included closure of schools and childcare facilities. †Schools, childcare facilities, and shops/businesses kept open.

Figure 2

Weekly SARS-CoV-2 sentinel surveillance in primary schools, kindergartens, and nurseries, Germany, June‒November 2020. Distribution of weekly pediatric oropharyngeal swab samples for SARS-CoV-2 testing by real-time reverse transcription PCR. Color code indicates individual age groups. Age stratification is per week of children tested for SARS-CoV-2. SARS-CoV-2, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2.