2003 SARS Outbreak
- A review of responses in Taiwan to the 2003 SARS outbreak and 2009 H1N1 pandemic noted that schools were designated as alternative health-care sites in order to expand surge capacity during the SARS outbreak. 
- However, there were no social distancing measures (such as school closures) introduced during the SARS outbreak. 
- After the SARS outbreak, Taiwan had developed extensive new strategies to manage pandemics and reformed its infection control strategy. 


University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Smith College

- 2003 SARS Outbreak
- 2009 H1N1 Pandemic 


Past school closures from viral outbreaks in Taiwan

Yen, M., Chiu, A., Schwartz, J., King, C., Lin, Y., Chang, S., . . . Hsueh, P. (2014). From SARS in 2003 to H1N1 in 2009: Lessons learned from Taiwan in preparation for the next pandemic. Journal of Hospital Infection, 87(4), 185-193. doi:10.1016/j.jhin.2014.05.005 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhin.2014.05.005

From SARS in 2003 to H1N1 in 2009: lessons learned from Taiwan in preparation for the next pandemic

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

2003 SARS Outbreak in Taiwan

- Taiwan instituted class suspensions rather than school closures.
- If more than two students in the class developed H1N1 2009 over a three day period, classes were suspended for 5 days. 
- The strategy was logical because in Taiwan, students remain in a home-room while teachers move among the classes. Less movement from students decreases the opportunity for the disease to spread.
- Studies have suggested that this approach was an effective social distancing measure during the H1N1 Pandemic while reducing social disruption by enabling schools to remain in session. 

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