Wearing a mask, respecting social distancing and routine tests at the university would prevent 96% of possible infections in students compared to only 63% with measures to close establishments and distance learning courses.
- Combining mask-wearing, social distancing and routine testing at university could “do as well” in limiting the spread of the virus as vaccines.
- Simply respecting the wearing of a mask and social distancing would prevent 87% of new infections.
This study questions the measures taken to fight against the epidemic in the student environment. American epidemiologists from Case Western Reserve University have shown that the combination of three basic prevention strategies against Covid-19 is more effective in limiting the spread of the virus than the outright closure of establishments. The results were presented on Dec. 21 in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine.
Wearing a mask and social distancing, 87% fewer infections
Combining mask-wearing, social distancing and routine testing at university could “do as well” to limit the spread of the virus than vaccines. Putting in place measures would prevent 92% to 96% of possible infections while closing universities would only reduce infections by 63%. Simply respecting the wearing of a mask and social distancing also appears to be more effective than closing these establishments and would prevent 87% of new infections. In addition, respecting social distancing alone would only reduce infections by 16%. But all these figures are valid if the measures are respected at 100%, specify the researchers.
To arrive at these results, the researchers studied 24 combinations of 4 prevention strategies: social distancing, wearing a mask, screening test and isolation. They took into account the interactions between students, teachers and administrative staff. Using a computer simulation model, they were able to simulate the interactions between people in these three groups during a semester at a university with 5,000 students and 1,000 faculty.
A hybrid system
To be as effective as possible, knowing that the barrier measures cannot be 100% respected, the researchers recommend the establishment of a hybrid system in universities. “As states have begun offering the vaccine to healthcare professionals, frontline responders and long-term care facilities, most students, faculty and university staff are unlikely to be offered a vaccine. before the end of springconclude the researchers. The commitment to mask-wearing and social distancing must therefore be reinforced in favor of reduced class sizes and a hybrid education system, with part of the courses face-to-face and an open campus during this semester.”
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