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Volume 27, Number 5—May 2021
Research Letter

Upper Respiratory Infections in Schools and Childcare Centers Reopening after COVID-19 Dismissals, Hong Kong

Min Whui Fong, Nancy H.L. Leung, Benjamin J. CowlingComments to Author , and Peng Wu
Author affiliations: WHO Collaborating Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Control, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China (M.W. Fong, N.H.L. Leung, B.J. Cowling, P. Wu); Laboratory of Data Discovery for Health Limited, Hong Kong (B.J. Cowling, P. Wu)

Main Article

Figure

Respiratory illness outbreaks in primary and secondary schools, kindergartens, childcare centers, and nursery schools in Hong Kong. A) Weekly number of outbreaks of upper respiratory tract infection in schools reported during October 25–November 28, 2020, overlaid on the epidemic curve of daily COVID-19 case numbers in Hong Kong, by date of reporting. B) Weekly numbers of outbreaks of upper respiratory tract infection in schools during weeks 44–48 of 2020 and school outbreaks involving >20 persons reported during 2017–2020. Lines indicate detection rates of rhinovirus/enterovirus and other viruses in respiratory specimens collected for laboratory surveillance. C) Weekly numbers of outbreaks of influenza-like illness and influenza in schools reported during 2017–2020. Dotted line indicates detection of influenza virus in respiratory specimens collected for laboratory surveillance. Durations of territorywide regular school breaks (summer holiday) during 2017–2019 and school dismissals implemented in response to COVID-19 in 2020 are shaded in blue. ILI, influenza-like-illness; URTI, upper respiratory tract infection; KG/CCC, kindergartens, child-care centers, and nursery schools; K2, kindergarten year 2 (4–5 years of age); P1–P3, primary school years 1–3 (6–9 years of age)

Figure. Respiratory illness outbreaks in primary and secondary schools, kindergartens, childcare centers, and nursery schools in Hong Kong. A) Weekly number of outbreaks of upper respiratory tract infection in schools reported during October 25–November 28, 2020, overlaid on the epidemic curve of daily COVID-19 case numbers in Hong Kong, by date of reporting. B) Weekly numbers of outbreaks of upper respiratory tract infection in schools during weeks 44–48 of 2020 and school outbreaks involving >20 persons reported during 2017–2020. Lines indicate detection rates of rhinovirus/enterovirus and other viruses in respiratory specimens collected for laboratory surveillance. C) Weekly numbers of outbreaks of influenza-like illness and influenza in schools reported during 2017–2020. Dotted line indicates detection of influenza virus in respiratory specimens collected for laboratory surveillance. Durations of territorywide regular school breaks (summer holiday) during 2017–2019 and school dismissals implemented in response to COVID-19 in 2020 are shaded in blue. ILI, influenza-like-illness; URTI, upper respiratory tract infection; KG/CCC, kindergartens, child-care centers, and nursery schools; K2, kindergarten year 2 (4–5 years of age); P1–P3, primary school years 1–3 (6–9 years of age)

Main Article

Page created: February 12, 2021
Page updated: April 22, 2021
Page reviewed: April 22, 2021
The conclusions, findings, and opinions expressed by authors contributing to this journal do not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Public Health Service, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or the authors' affiliated institutions. Use of trade names is for identification only and does not imply endorsement by any of the groups named above.
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