TraCK Transmission of COVID19 in Kids

COVID-19 can infect children without causing symptoms, meaning that spread of COVID-19 among children has been almost impossible to study. Other infections in the throat like scarlet fever spread rapidly between children, and spread from children to other household members. In contrast, it is thought that children are not major spreaders of COVID-19. Nonetheless, there is evidence that children are just as likely to have been infected with COVID-19 as adults in some communities. If COVID-19 can be spread by children at a level similar to scarlet fever, we may be missing a vital link in preventing wider community spread of COVID-19. Our study will investigate how quickly and efficiently the virus might be spread by schoolchildren, and will include teachers and household contacts. We will investigate how long children can carry 'infectious' virus, and if the virus is present in saliva or the surrounding air. Conversely, if we find that children do not readily transmit the virus at all, our study will be able to provide a high level of reassurance to teachers, parents, and the public. The findings should provide much needed information for modelling and public health guidance.