Study: Children can infect as much as adults

The researchers have compared the amount of viruses measured in the respiratory organs of people of different ages since the tests started in January. Nearly 60,000 people were tested, of which just over 3,700 were tested positive for the virus.

The result was that there were virtually no statistically significant differences between the amount of virus in the different age groups.

"The research is in line with the idea that children can become infected and may even pass on the virus as easily as other age groups, without showing as many symptoms," infection researcher Martin Hibberd told The Guardian.

The preschool children who tested positive had an average of 4.37 units per milliliter of mucus, compared with 4.78 among 12-19 year olds and 5.16 among 26-45 year olds. The only sure difference that was measured was between preschool children and people over the age of 45, where the average was 5.23.

However, there was a big difference in how many of those tested were infected. Among preschool children, 2.1 percent tested positive, compared with 7.6 percent in the 45+ age group. Therefore, relatively few of those infected were younger than 20, which means that there is greater uncertainty about the values ​​measured for them.

It is not clear from the article why the people were tested and therefore it is not possible to know if the sample is representative. Other studies that have looked at confirmed pathways of infection have previously concluded that the risk of transmission of infection between children is small. It also seems that children are less susceptible to the virus, which would limit the spread of infection in schools.

It should also be mentioned that the article has not yet been published in a scientific journal and therefore has not undergone so-called peer review, like many other studies published prematurely during the corona pandemic.

In Germany, schools and preschools closed in March as part of the effort to curb the spread of infection. Last week, a cautious opening began with the start of high school. What the continuation should look like is partly up to the individual states.  

The researchers behind the German study advise against a complete return to the ordinary.

“... we must advise against a complete reopening of schools and preschools in the current situation, with widespread public acceptance and the need to keep the spread of infection through non-medical measures. Children can prove to be as contagious as adults, ”they write in the article.