Universität zu Köln

Koerner, Robert Walter and Weber, Lutz Thorsten (2021). Prevalence of COVID-19 Among Children and Adolescents While Easing Lockdown Restrictions in Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Klinische Padiatr., 233 (3). S. 135 - 141. STUTTGART: GEORG THIEME VERLAG KG. ISSN 1439-3824

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Abstract

Background In Germany, widespread full closures of schools and day care facilities were part of lockdown measures to control the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In the state of North Rhine-Westphalia closures took place on March 16, 2020 and were gradually eased from end of April 2020 until beginning of June 2020. Objective This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of COVID-19 among children and adolescents during the reopening period of schools and day care facilities in Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It further depicts medical history and results of physical examinations of pediatric patients undergoing a test for severe acute respiratory distress syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Methods Testing for SARS-CoV-2 was carried out by a naso- and / or oropharyngeal swab by local pediatricians at the time of presentation. Samples were analyzed by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Medical history and physical examination results were retrospectively analyzed. Results 525 children and adolescents presented mainly with mild upper respiratory tract infections. Three patients were diagnosed with COVID-19. Their medical history and examination results did not stand out from the other patients. Conclusion A precautious stepwise opening of schools and day care facilities was not associated with the occurrence of a relevant prevalence of COVID-19 among children and adolescents. However, a low general prevalence of COVID-19 at the end of the observation period has to be taken into account. Systematic testing might enable adjusted regulations in favor of full closures, especially in the light of increasing evidence for pediatric patients constituting a low-risk group for COVID-19.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID ORCID Put Code Koerner, Robert Walter UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Weber, Lutz Thorsten UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED
URN:	urn:nbn:de:hbz:38-568598
DOI:	10.1055/a-1341-9530
Journal or Publication Title:	Klinische Padiatr.
Volume:	233
Number:	3
Page Range:	S. 135 - 141
Date:	2021
Publisher:	GEORG THIEME VERLAG KG
Place of Publication:	STUTTGART
ISSN:	1439-3824
Language:	English
Faculty:	Unspecified
Divisions:	Unspecified
Subjects:	no entry
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Keywords Language Pediatrics Multiple languages
URI:	http://kups.ub.uni-koeln.de/id/eprint/56859