 - Databases used: PubMed, WHO Global Research Database, and MedRxiv
- Initially, 616 articles were identified from database searches.
- After screening and assessment 16 articles were chosen to be included in the review. 9 were published studies and 7 were non-peer-reviewed studies. 


Methods for Conducting Review

- The only study in the review that examined the effect of school closures separately to other social distancing measures.
- Ferguson and colleagues used UK population and schools data was used with data on transmission dynamics reported from the COVID-19 outbreak in Wuhan. 
- Using data from previous influenza outbreaks, they assumed that per-capita contacts within schools were double those in households, workplaces, or the community. 
- They concluded that approximately ⅓ of COVID-19 transmission occurred in schools. 
- The scenario modeled proposed a closure of all schools and 25% of universities remain open. This resulted in household contact rates for student families increasing by 50% during closure. Contacts in the community increase by 25% during closure. 
- School closure as an isolated measure was predicted to reduce total deaths by 2-4% during a COVID-19 outbreak in the UK. 
- Concluded that school closure alone would be insufficient to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic and a combination of measures would be most effective in suppressing the spread of COVID-19. 


A Modeling Study on the Impact of School Closures in the UK on COVID-19

- There are few data available from the literature that can sufficiently guide countries on the use of school closures along with other social distancing practices during the COVID-19 pandemic. 
- Currently, the evidence to support national school closures to combat COVID-19 is weak and data from influenza outbreaks suggests that school closures do not mitigate the effects of the virus because of "COVID-19's high transmissibility and the apparent low clinical effect on school children". Data also suggests that school closures can have profound economic and social consequences. 
- More research is needed on the effectiveness of school closures and other school social distancing practices to inform COVID-19 related policies. 
- Policy makers must strike the balance between protecting the health of populations and preventing economic and social disruption when choosing when and how to reopen schools. 

Takeaways from the Review 

School Measures Taken During the 2003 SARS Pandemic / 2009 H1N1 Influenza Pandemic 

School Measures Taken During COVID-19 Pandemic

What is known about the use of and effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of school closure and other social distancing practices on infection rates and transmission during coronavirus outbreaks?

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Smith College

- Outcomes of School Closure and Management Practices during Coronavirus Outbreaks in the UK: A Systematic REVIEW 
- Outcome Prediction of Open Schools in England Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic

Outcomes of School Closures & Reopening during the COVID-19 Pandemic in the UK

Viner, R. M., Russell, S. J., Croker, H., Packer, J., Ward, J., Stansfield, C., . . . Booy, R. (2020). School closure and management practices during coronavirus outbreaks including COVID-19: A rapid systematic review. The Lancet Child &amp; Adolescent Health, 4(5), 397-404. doi:10.1016/s2352-4642(20)30095-x
https://doi.org/10.1016/S2352-4642(20)30095-X

School closure and management practices during coronavirus outbreaks including COVID-19: a rapid systematic review

Outcomes of School Closure and Management Practices during Coronavirus Outbreaks in the UK: A Systematic Review 

Using a previously-developed age-dependent transmission model, which classifies population according to their current disease status (susceptible, exposed, infectious, recovered), and model parameters, researchers compared and contrasted the impacts of 8 different strategies of school opening on the spread of SARS-CoV-2. 

- years 0, 1, and 6 (full class sizes)
- years 0, 1, and 6 (half class sizes)
- all primary schools
- years 0, 1, 6, 10, and 12 (full class sizes)
- years 0, 1, 6, 10, and 12 (half class sizes)
- all primary schools, years 10 and 12
- all secondary schools
- all schools


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