Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from Children and Adolescents

Chu, V. T.; Yousaf, A. R.; Chang, K.; Schwartz, N.; McDaniel, C.; Szablewski, C.; Brown, M.; Winglee, K.; Lee, S.; Cui, Z.; Adebayo, A.; Aholou, T.; Amin, M.; Aryee, P.; Castaneda, C.; Chambers, T.; Fleshman, A.; Goodman, C.; Holmes, T.; Ivey-Stephenson, A.; Kamitani, E.; Katz, S.; Knapp, J.; Kolasa, M.; Lumsden, M.; Mayweather, E.; Mohammed, A.; Moorman, A.; Patel-Larson, A.; Perinet, L.; Pilgard, M.; Pratt, D.; Railey, S.; Shah, J.; Tuckey, D.; Dirlikov, E.; Rose, D.; Villanueva, J.; Fry, A.; Hall, A.; Kirking, H.; Tate, J.; Drenzek, C.; Lanzieri, T.; Stewart, R.

A better understanding of SARS-CoV-2 transmission from children and adolescents is crucial for informing public health mitigation strategies. We conducted a retrospective cohort study among household contacts of primary cases defined as children and adolescents aged 7-19 years with laboratory evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection acquired during an overnight camp outbreak. Among household contacts, we defined secondary cases using the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists definition. Among 526 household contacts of 224 primary cases, 48 secondary cases were identified, corresponding to a secondary attack rate of 9% (95% confidence interval [CI], 7%-12%). Our findings show that children and adolescents can transmit SARS-CoV-2 to adult contacts and other children in a household setting.