Re-opening schools is feasible, but efficient measures are needed to track and detect contacts

Science and Technology Daily (Reporter Zhang Mengran) The British Journal of Lancet Children and Adolescent Health recently published two model and observational studies, showing that efficient contact tracing and detection measures for the safe opening of schools during the new coronavirus pandemic is very important.
One of the model studies simulates the impact of the UK reopening in September, with researchers at University College London and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine estimating for the first time the level of coverage required for the UK to reopen schools and the next "test-track-isolation" measure to avoid a second wave of outbreaks.
model suggests that the UK could avoid a second outbreak of new coronary pneumonia if it can improve testing and strengthen effective contact tracing and isolation measures. But the researchers warn that a second wave of outbreaks could lead to an increase in the number of virus regenerations (R) to more than 1, with the second wave twice to 2.3 times the size of the first wave, whether it is a gradual relaxation of controls or inadequate "test-track-isolation" measures.
second observational study, the team looked at and analyzed data on the spread of new coronary pneumonia tracked by 25 schools and nurseries in New South Wales, Australia, between January and April. The analysis concluded that the risk of transmission of the virus by children and staff in these educational settings was very low, with contact tracing and pandemic management in place.
, director of the Australian National Centre for Immunization Research and Monitoring, said the findings were the most comprehensive data to date on the spread of new coronavirus in schools and early education settings. But the team cautions against the limitations of the study, most notably that most close contacts are tested only after symptoms appear, meaning that some asymptomatic or mild cases may be missed.
commenting on the two studies, professor at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine said both studies offered the possibility of continuing to open schools and clearly demonstrated the importance of contact tracing and testing measures with sufficient coverage.