40,000-Person Iceland Study Finds Youth Under 15 Half as Likely to Catch and Spread Coronavirus
Recently, a study conducted in Iceland with a sample size of 40,000 people has revealed that children under the age of 15 are only half as likely as adults to contract and transmit COVID-19. This study, which utilized contract tracing and genetic sequencing, provides the most comprehensive data to date on youth infection and transmission. It confirms the widely accepted notion that age plays a significant role in susceptibility to the virus. Some studies even suggest that the immunological threshold for infection is as low as 10 to 12 years old. As children reach the puberty stage, their risk of contracting and transmitting the virus seems to increase. In the United States, data from the COVID Monitor, a national tracker of school coronavirus cases, shows that the rate of positive cases among high school students is nearly three times higher than that of elementary school students.
These findings have important implications for metropolitan school systems like Chicago, Philadelphia, and New York City, as they use this data to inform their decisions on school reopening strategies. There is concern, however, for the teachers who work closely with young students, as they may still be at risk. This has resulted in tensions between teachers unions advocating for remote learning and families in need of classroom instruction. The impact of the pandemic on education has been significant, with many students experiencing declining grades and some classes falling behind.
Although elementary school students have lower infection rates compared to high school students, there is no significant variation in the case rates among teachers across grade levels, according to national data. This suggests that infections among teachers are likely occurring outside of school. Experts argue that the comparable rates are due to community spread rather than transmission within the school environment.
In the midst of these discussions, the Food and Drug Administration recently approved a COVID-19 vaccine from Pfizer and BioNTech, marking a significant step in combatting the pandemic in the United States. However, it is still unclear whether the vaccine will be available for individuals under 16 years old or if teachers will be prioritized for vaccination. Therefore, the understanding of school-level transmission remains crucial for determining appropriate protocols.
Scientific studies have provided some initial insights into why children and adults interact with the virus differently. One explanation, based on an antibody study published in Nature Immunology, suggests that young people’s dynamic immune system relies on "new T-cells" that can adapt to COVID-19 more effectively, while adults rely on "memory T-cells" that are less efficient. This suggests that school-age children are more adept at responding to new pathogens.
