• LOGIN
Repository logo

BORIS Portal

Bern Open Repository and Information System

  • Publication
  • Projects
  • Funding
  • Research Data
  • Organizations
  • Researchers
  • LOGIN
Repository logo
Unibern.ch
  1. Home
  2. Publications
  3. SARS-CoV-2 transmission with and without mask wearing or air cleaners in schools in Switzerland: A modeling study of epidemiological, environmental, and molecular data.
 

SARS-CoV-2 transmission with and without mask wearing or air cleaners in schools in Switzerland: A modeling study of epidemiological, environmental, and molecular data.

Options
  • Details
BORIS DOI
10.48350/182678
Date of Publication
May 2023
Publication Type
Article
Division/Institute

Institut für Infektio...

Institut für Infektio...

Institut für Sozial- ...

Institut für Erziehun...

Institut für Sozial- ...

Universitätsklinik fü...

Author
Banholzer, Nicolas
Institut für Sozial- und Präventivmedizin (ISPM)
Zürcher, Kathrin
Institut für Sozial- und Präventivmedizin (ISPM)
Jent, Philipp
Universitätsklinik für Infektiologie
Bittel, Pascal
Institut für Infektionskrankheiten (IFIK) - Klinische Mikrobiologie
Institut für Infektionskrankheiten (IFIK) - Molekulare Analytik
Furrer, Lavinia
Institut für Infektionskrankheiten (IFIK) - Molekulare Analytik
Institut für Infektionskrankheiten (IFIK) - Klinische Mikrobiologie
Egger, Matthiasorcid-logo
Institut für Sozial- und Präventivmedizin (ISPM) - HIV, Hepatitis & Tubercolosis
Institut für Sozial- und Präventivmedizin (ISPM)
Hascher, Tina
Institut für Erziehungswissenschaft - Schul- und Unterrichtsforschung
Fenner, Lukas Antoineorcid-logo
Institut für Sozial- und Präventivmedizin (ISPM)
Institut für Sozial- und Präventivmedizin (ISPM) - Tuberculosis
Subject(s)

600 - Technology::610...

300 - Social sciences...

300 - Social sciences...

500 - Science::570 - ...

Series
PLoS medicine
ISSN or ISBN (if monograph)
1549-1277
Publisher
Public Library of Science
Language
English
Publisher DOI
10.1371/journal.pmed.1004226
PubMed ID
37200241
Description
BACKGROUND

Growing evidence suggests an important contribution of airborne transmission to the overall spread of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), in particular via smaller particles called aerosols. However, the contribution of school children to SARS-CoV-2 transmission remains uncertain. The aim of this study was to assess transmission of airborne respiratory infections and the association with infection control measures in schools using a multiple-measurement approach.

METHODS AND FINDINGS

We collected epidemiological (cases of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)), environmental (CO2, aerosol and particle concentrations), and molecular data (bioaerosol and saliva samples) over 7 weeks from January to March 2022 (Omicron wave) in 2 secondary schools (n = 90, average 18 students/classroom) in Switzerland. We analyzed changes in environmental and molecular characteristics between different study conditions (no intervention, mask wearing, air cleaners). Analyses of environmental changes were adjusted for different ventilation, the number of students in class, school and weekday effects. We modeled disease transmission using a semi-mechanistic Bayesian hierarchical model, adjusting for absent students and community transmission. Molecular analysis of saliva (21/262 positive) and airborne samples (10/130) detected SARS-CoV-2 throughout the study (weekly average viral concentration 0.6 copies/L) and occasionally other respiratory viruses. Overall daily average CO2 levels were 1,064 ± 232 ppm (± standard deviation). Daily average aerosol number concentrations without interventions were 177 ± 109 1/cm3 and decreased by 69% (95% CrI 42% to 86%) with mask mandates and 39% (95% CrI 4% to 69%) with air cleaners. Compared to no intervention, the transmission risk was lower with mask mandates (adjusted odds ratio 0.19, 95% CrI 0.09 to 0.38) and comparable with air cleaners (1.00, 95% CrI 0.15 to 6.51). Study limitations include possible confounding by period as the number of susceptible students declined over time. Furthermore, airborne detection of pathogens document exposure but not necessarily transmission.

CONCLUSIONS

Molecular detection of airborne and human SARS-CoV-2 indicated sustained transmission in schools. Mask mandates were associated with greater reductions in aerosol concentrations than air cleaners and with lower transmission. Our multiple-measurement approach could be used to continuously monitor transmission risk of respiratory infections and the effectiveness of infection control measures in schools and other congregate settings.
Handle
https://boris-portal.unibe.ch/handle/20.500.12422/167225
Show full item
File(s)
FileFile TypeFormatSizeLicensePublisher/Copright statementContent
journal.pmed.1004226.pdftextAdobe PDF2.02 MBAttribution (CC BY 4.0)publishedOpen
BORIS Portal
Bern Open Repository and Information System
Build: d1c7f7 [27.06. 13:56]
Explore
  • Projects
  • Funding
  • Publications
  • Research Data
  • Organizations
  • Researchers
More
  • About BORIS Portal
  • Send Feedback
  • Cookie settings
  • Service Policy
Follow us on
  • Mastodon
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn
UniBe logo