COVID-19: Susceptibility and transmission in children

If anything has baffled the medical profession and scientists during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is the role of children in its transmission and their own response to being exposed to the virus. However, recent studies are helping experts to better understand the impact of the virus on the young.

One study, led by University College London (UCL, 2020) found that children and young people appear to be more than 50% less likely to catch SARS-CoV-2 – the virus that causes COVID-19 – than adults. However, it said that ‘evidence remains weak’ on how likely they are to transmit the virus, according to a review of teaching and tracing, and population screening studies, led by UCL.

Researchers, who reviewed policies around tracking and training, and examined population screening studies, said the findings provide evidence on children's susceptibility to COVID-19, and the data will be important for governments making decisions about schools reopening and easing lockdown restrictions.