Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic forced most Kansas schools to adopt remote or hybrid learning in 2020-2021. Wichita Collegiate School proceeded with an in-person teaching model. The purpose of this study was to determine if in-person learning can be done safely during the COVID-19 pandemic prior to vaccine use.
Methods: Wichita Collegiate is a private school located in Sedgwick County, Kansas. The study population included 671 students (grades 1 - 12) and 130 staff. The procedures implemented during the school year (August 19, 2020 - May 21, 2021) included: mandatory face coverings, six feet physical distancing, and daily temperature checks. A registered nurse performed contact tracing and executed quarantine requirements per the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.
Results: Over the study period, 487 students and staff were tested for COVID-19 and 18.5% (n = 90) were positive. Overall, students and staff rate of COVID-19 infection was lower than the expected rate when compared to the surrounding community of Sedgwick County. Thorough contract tracing of positive cases revealed that 2.2% (n = 2) individuals were likely exposed to COVID-19 at school.
Conclusions: This study suggested that transmission of COVID-19 was infrequent in a school setting with in-person attendance, even before widespread vaccine availability. By following public health guidelines and utilizing contact tracing, it was possible to limit the spread of COVID-19 during in-person learning. This has immediate implications for how schools safely returned to in-person learning in the post-vaccine era.
Keywords: COVID-19; education; pandemic; public health; return to school.
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