Studies show Covid-19 spreads in schools when rates, hospitalizations high

Two recent studies found that opening schools does not increase Covid-19 spread, as long as rates of positive tests and hospitalizations in the surrounding communities are low. As reported by The Hechinger Report, above a certain threshold, the virus does spread in school, the studies found.

One study, by Michigan State University and University of Washington researchers and released in December, found that in Michigan and Washington, found that in-person school increased community spread once COVID-19 rates exceeded thresholds of 5 cases per 100,000 people in Washington, and 21 cases per 100,000 people in Michigan. It is possible that the threshold was lower in the case of Washington, because more people were adhering to social distancing and mask-wearing outside of school.

A second study, by Tulane University researchers and released on Jan. 4, found that opening schools did not add to Covid-19 hospitalizations as long as the rate was below 36 to 44 people per 100,000 residents per week.