New research suggests that the transmission of COVID-19 within a household could be more than 50 per cent and that children play a 鈥渋mportant鈥 role in its spread through the home.
The peer-reviewed study, , analyzed the transmission of COVID-19 in 180 homes in the Ottawa, Ont. area between September 2020 and October 2021, and found that after the first person in the home tested positive for COVID-19, 49.1 per cent of people in the same home would later test positive as well.
In all, 239 of the 487 people in the same household as someone with COVID-19 would later test positive for the virus.
Dr. Maala Bhatt, an associate professor of Pediatrics at the University of Ottawa and the study鈥檚 lead author, believes this study is a reminder that Canadians need to continue with the proper precautions.
鈥淚 know many want to 鈥榣ive with COVID鈥 and abandon the layers of protection that were previously mandated, but it鈥檚 important to be aware of the high transmissibility of this virus in closed, indoor settings, such as schools,鈥
鈥淥ur most vulnerable and our youngest children who are not yet able to be vaccinated are still at risk for COVID infection.鈥
Maala also notes that this study was conducted before the emergence of the highly transmissible Omicron variant, meaning the transmission rate in the household is likely higher than this research shows.
鈥淲hile we鈥檙e lucky hospitals aren鈥檛 currently overloaded, emergency departments are and positivity rates are on the rise, even amongst children,鈥 Bhatt said.
鈥淎s significant COVID-19 transmission continues within households and throughout the community, it鈥檚 important to continue doing what you can to keep yourself and those around you safe 鈥 mask while indoors, wash your hands, get vaccinated with all the doses you are eligible for, stay home if you鈥檙e sick, and limit close contacts.鈥
While the study showed that adults were more likely to spread the virus to others in the home, the study stated that children were 鈥渨ere an important source of spread鈥 and accounted for about a third of household transmission.
鈥淭he role of children in transmission warrants attention, since they are often asymptomatic or have mild symptoms,鈥 the study noted.
鈥淎ddressing this gap in the literature would allow a more evidence-based approach to public health initiatives, given that COVID-19 pandemic control strategies have often affected the lives of children and youth, as well as negatively affecting their overall well-being.鈥
