Description of COVID-19 outbreaks in childcare facilities in Alberta, March 2020 to December 31, 2021

Abstract

Background Children attending childcare are vulnerable to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, and mitigation measures such as masking, distancing, enhanced hygiene are not feasible for this population. Describing outbreak growth during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in childcare centres may provide insight into how to best mitigate the risks of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases in these settings. This article describes the childcare outbreaks and associated cases in Alberta at different time periods throughout the pandemic. Methods Our observational analysis used data on outbreaks and associated cases tracked through the Alberta Health Services Communicable Disease Outbreak Management database. We included all COVID-19 outbreaks opened in childcare facilities (March 2020 to December 31, 2021). We compared the characteristics of outbreaks and cases during each wave of the pandemic. Results There were a total of 841 childcare outbreaks, including 4,613 cases (70.2% in children and 29.8% adults). Many characteristics of outbreaks and cases varied across pandemic waves, including attack rates (12.1%–28.7% in adults and 5.8%–16.3% in children), percent of cases in children (56.4%–77.3%), and percent of outbreaks with a child index case (34.0%–70.1%). The overall average cases/outbreak was 5.5 (range: 1–68), and case examples of large outbreaks showed that delaying testing and attending daycare while symptomatic seemed to drive higher transmission. Conclusion Waves had different outbreak and case characteristics, for both adults and children. Transmission may happen more readily among adults and among children than between those two groups. Measures shown to be effective to reduce transmission in other settings can be implemented here, such as vaccination, strictly enforcing the exclusion of those symptomatic, and facilitating rapid testing.

Asymptomatic Children as a Missing Link in Preventing COVID-19 Transmission

“…New reports confirm the transmission of the virus from asymptomatic children to other family members and even individuals who have had contact with others outside the home. 13 , 14 …”

“…New reports confirm the transmission of the virus from asymptomatic children to other family members and even individuals who have had contact with others outside the home. 13,14 Since children are not yet fully vaccinated against COVID-19, when compared with adults, it is important to investigate the prevalence of COVID-19 infection among asymptomatic children. Investigating the prevalence of COVID-19 infection in asymptomatic children who have had close contact with symptomatic individuals is instrumental for refining public health approaches, protecting vulnerable populations, and mitigating the broader impact of the pandemic.…”