Prevalence of COVID-19 Among Children and Adolescents While Easing Lockdown Restrictions in Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

Abstract

Background In Germany, widespread full closures of schools and day care facilities were part of lockdown measures to control the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In the state of North Rhine-Westphalia closures took place on March 16, 2020 and were gradually eased from end of April 2020 until beginning of June 2020. Objective This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of COVID-19 among children and adolescents during the reopening period of schools and day care facilities in Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It further depicts medical history and results of physical examinations of pediatric patients undergoing a test for severe acute respiratory distress syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Methods Testing for SARS-CoV-2 was carried out by a naso- and / or oropharyngeal swab by local pediatricians at the time of presentation. Samples were analyzed by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Medical history and physical examination results were retrospectively analyzed. Results 525 children and adolescents presented mainly with mild upper respiratory tract infections. Three patients were diagnosed with COVID-19. Their medical history and examination results did not stand out from the other patients. Conclusion A precautious stepwise opening of schools and day care facilities was not associated with the occurrence of a relevant prevalence of COVID-19 among children and adolescents. However, a low general prevalence of COVID-19 at the end of the observation period has to be taken into account. Systematic testing might enable adjusted regulations in favor of full closures, especially in the light of increasing evidence for pediatric patients constituting a low-risk group for COVID-19.

Atopy and Elevation of IgE, IgG3, and IgG4 May Be Risk Factors for Post COVID-19 Condition in Children and Adolescents

“…Throughout the pandemic PCR tests for acute illness were performed based on capacities of hospitals, schools, or private companies. By the end of 2022, PCR testing in Germany was largely reduced to a minimum of cases with severe hospitalization [18]. We discuss that while setting the inclusion criteria to positive PCR testing clearly limits the number of patients in an already limited collective of children, it still serves as a clear link of PCC to acute COVID-19 illness to investigate any organ dysfunctions or immune dysregulation that is the purpose of this study.…”

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic Regulations on the Health Status and Medical Care of Children with Trisomy 21

“…At the time, increasing evidence has shown that paediatric patients only have a moderate impact on the pandemic activity. The successive reopening of schools and day-care facilities has not been associated with a significant increase of the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among children [15].…”