Examination of SARS-CoV-2 In-Class Transmission at a Large Urban University With Public Health Mandates Using...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Infectious Disease

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, presented significant challenges for educational institutions.
• Indoor learning environments in colleges and universities raised concerns about potential person-to-person transmission of the virus.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission within university classrooms.
• To determine if in-class instruction, without physical distancing but with other mitigation strategies, contributes to disease spread.

Main Methods:

• A cohort study was conducted on a US university campus during the fall 2021 semester.
• Data collection involved contact tracing, class attendance records, and whole genome sequencing.
• Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing was used to assess genetic distance between potential transmission pairs.

Main Results:

• Over 600,000 PCR tests were performed, with 896 (0.1%) positive for SARS-CoV-2.
• Over 850 COVID-19 cases were identified among students and faculty.
• Only 9 instances of potential in-class transmission were identified across more than 140,000 class events, representing 0.0045% of meetings.

Conclusions:

• The study suggests that in-class instruction is not a significant driver of SARS-CoV-2 transmission.
• Robust transmission abatement strategies, including mandated vaccination and indoor masking, were effective.
• Universities can maintain in-person learning safely with appropriate public health measures.