We seem hard-wired to regard children as harmlessly innocent, unless proven otherwise. Moreover, the ease with which most of them sail through COVID-19 reinforces the assumption they are immune. However, Forbes magazine drew our attention to two recent studies that suggest children may be highly efficient spreaders of the virus. We posted this because we felt this was something every parent should know.
More Virus in Noses Could Make Children Efficient Spreaders
A study at a pediatric hospital in Chicago produced a report published July 30, 2020. The researchers compared concentrations of SARS-Cov-2 virus in upper regions of throats of COVID-19 patients. This is the bridge where the throat connects to the nasal passage making it a double opportunity for virus spread.
The researchers concluded young children may be highly efficient spreaders after they completed their study. This was because those aged five and younger with mild symptoms harbored 10 to 100 times more virus than older children and adults in the upper region of their throats.
Young Children Could Transmit COVID-19 at Twice the Adult Rate
The second study by an independant team took place in the Trento region of Northern Italy. The area was under total lockdown in March / April 2020, including schools, universities, and businesses. The only exceptions were pharmacies, grocery stores, and news stands. Yet despite this, the number of new cases increased exponentially.
Contact tracing suggested children 14 years and younger were twice as likely to pass the virus on, as adults were aged 30 to 49. Moreover, the youngest children were the most active transmitters despite showing lesser symptoms.
Forbes Magazine suggests these results have ‘serious implications’ for reopening, or not reopening schools. Children may be highly efficient spreaders, because as long as they are young they don’t always do as told.
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Preview Image: Trento in Northern Italy
