An extensive two-year review of COVID-19 in schools and daycares conducted by researchers at McMaster University has revealed that these settings were not a significant source of virus transmission when infection prevention and control measures were in place. The review, published in The Lancet Child and Adolescent Health, examined over 34,000 references related to transmission in child-care settings and schools globally, casting doubt on the necessity of repeated interruptions to in-person learning during the pandemic.

According to Sarah Neil-Sztramko, the lead author of the review and an assistant professor at the university, schools did not appear to have much impact on community-level transmission when infection prevention control measures were in place, following the initial shutdown. The review, updated 18 times over the past two years, aimed to provide timely access to scientific evidence for decision making.

The review found that masking, vaccinations, and test-to-stay policies were the most effective methods to reduce COVID-19 spread in schools and daycares. However, the effectiveness of strategies like mandatory quarantining, cohorting, and hybrid learning is uncertain and may have made little to no difference in transmission.

This research challenges the prolonged closures of schools, as it suggests that with the implementation of proper infection prevention and control measures, the spread of COVID-19 within school and daycare settings can be effectively managed. The findings highlight the importance of maintaining such measures to facilitate safe in-person learning and minimize disruptions to education during the pandemic.