Study shows minimal transmission in primary school pupils in Norway

[bumbleymummy]

Ages 5-13 included in the study.

Link to paper:

www.eurosurveillance.org/content/10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2020.26.1.2002011

“ This prospective study shows that transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from children under 14 years of age was minimal in primary schools in Oslo and Viken, the two Norwegian counties with the highest COVID-19 incidence and in which 35% of the Norwegian population resides.”

How big are their class sizes?

I'd love this to be true, I want children back in school ASAP but if their class sizes are smaller it might not be the same in the UK.

I’m not sure.

This is interesting too re face masks in school:

“ Norwegian schools were closed during the first SARS-CoV-2 wave in spring 2020. After re-opening, all schools implemented infection prevention and control (IPC) measures based on national guidelines. These included strengthened hygiene measures, physical distancing and a clear message to stay home if symptomatic, even with mild symptoms [17]. Use of face masks is not recommended in schools in Norway. We found that with the IPC measures implemented there is low to no transmission from SARS-CoV-2–infected children in schools.”

Interesting - but predates the new variants. My understanding was that that the new variant was suspected to change the transmission patterns and ages. Not sure if anyone seen any research on that?

Bored to tears with people finding media stories that may or may not be accurate about schools in other countries.

Posted by people who know little about Norwegian schools and little about English schools. The bit that stands out is that it includes physical distancing which is what most English classrooms with classes of over 30 can't manage.

I've watched Covid rip through my DCs school and staff and community. So sorry, but a post about transmission in Norwegian schools was minimal is utterly irrelevant to me.

What are you hoping for? People to pretend schools were safe? They weren't.

We need to know class sizes, class room sizes, whether equipment is shared, how much time they spend in the classroom/outdoors, how many hours so they spend at school, what is the ventilation like? What are their immune systems like?

There is a population of about. 4m.!!
We have over 8m just children.
Could be different ethnicity blood type or weight meaning the kids dont get as ill to spread it.

It’s a link to a paper in a medical journal, not a dodgy article in the Daily Mail @NovemberR

You might find some answers to your questions by reading it.

School classes in Norway are maximum 19 and the day start 8.30 until 12.40 -13 00 for primary schools. The classrooms are much bigger and have better ventilation than UK classrooms.

I thought the issue was the new variant - there were reports it was much more transmissible in young children than its predecessors?

Whilst an interesting study it isn’t possible to relate it to the current UK situation.

Old and out of date news.

@handsforfeet

I thought the issue was the new variant - there were reports it was much more transmissible in young children than its predecessors?

No, just more transmissible in general.

In Oslo; my kids school year 2 has 20 kids in a class and each is currently split in two, the year 4 has 24 and is also split in two due to harsher tiers at the moment. The older kids work partially from home and at school

The schools have spare space to spread the kids in class and big enough play areas to split when the kids are outside. Kids in Oslo at least usually go to schools in easy walking distance, it is unusual not to go to the local school.

The teachers generally live quite close by, not having to commute ages on public transport

So although good news the similarities and differences between Uk and Norwegian schools need to be kept in mind

But also all parents are entitled to take paid leave if their children are sick, 10 days a year before Covid and more now

No comparison to primary school classes here with 30 pupils in . So not really helpful.

Perhaps helpful in the sense that it shows what we could/should be doing in schools here.

Having looked at the report and checked the Norway government’s recommendations for school safety, it’s reassuring to know that spread is minimal when community cases are between 20 and 95 per 100 k, and when children are in groups of up to 15, at individual desks 1m apart, with an emphasis on outdoor learning and an expectation that any child who is remotely unwell is expected to stay at home.

Looking forward to seeing our children return under the same conditions.

It is useful to know how we can make schools safer here though - groups of 10-12, physical distancing, shorter days, rotas etc.

Covid ran rife through my school nursery, it was the teachers and then the kids testing positive (3/4 year olds). Not one parent in the class caught Covid from their child. Didn't JVT say that children can absolutely catch it, but it only becomes an issue once they become teenagers in them passing it on.

You might find some answers to your questions by reading it

I’ve read it. None of the answers asked are in the study. 🤷🏻‍♀️