A new study suggests that the transmission of COVID-19 in the household may be more than 50 percent and that children play an “important” role in its distribution in the home.
A peer-reviewed study published earlier this week in the Canadian Medical Association Journal analyzed the transmission of COVID-19 in 180 homes in Ottawa, Ont. area between September 2020 and October 2021 and found that after the first person in the home tested positive for COVID-19, 49.1% of people in the same home would later also test positive.
In total, 239 of the 487 people in the same household as someone with COVID-19 would later test positive for the virus.
Dr Maala Bhat, an associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Ottawa and lead author of the study, said the study was a reminder that Canadians should continue with the right precautions.
“I know that many want to ‘live with COVID’ and abandon the layers of protection that were previously imposed, but it is important to be aware of the high rate of transmission of this virus in closed, closed conditions, such as schools,” he said. she in a news release.
“Our most vulnerable and youngest children, who cannot yet be vaccinated, are still at risk of COVID infection.
Maala also notes that this study was conducted before the advent of the high-transmission Omicron variant, which means that the transmission rate in the household is likely to be higher than this study shows.
“While we are lucky that the hospitals are not overcrowded at the moment, there are emergency departments and the positive rate is increasing, even among children,” Bhat said.
As the significant transmission of COVID-19 continues in households and throughout the community, it is important to continue to do what you can to protect yourself and the people around you – disguise yourself indoors, wash your hands, get vaccinated with all doses eligible, stay home if you are ill and limit close contact. ”
While the study shows that adults are more likely to spread the virus to others in the home, the study found that children are an “important source of spread” and account for about a third of household transmission.
“The role of children in transmission requires attention, as they are often asymptomatic or have mild symptoms,” the study said.
“Bridging this gap in the literature would allow a more evidence-based approach to public health initiatives, given that the COVID-19 pandemic control strategies have often affected the lives of children and young people, as well as negatively on their overall well-being.
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