Rockville, Md. – A new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study of COVID-19 transmission in households with children found that the virus that causes COVID-19 was transmitted from people of all ages and from those with or without symptoms. However, staying in a separate room from other household members while sick significantly reduced the odds of transmission of the virus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), to another household member.
The study, conducted before the emergence of the Omicron variant and vaccines for children in the United States, also found that COVID-19 vaccination reduced the odds of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The study did not find that COVID-19 vaccination reduced transmission within households. “The findings make clear how important it is to get vaccinated and follow CDC recommendations to control transmission and prevent infection,” said Zuha Jeddy, Abt’s Project Manager for the C-HEaRT Study.
The study used data from 513 households and 2,053 people. Researchers collected the data from participants in the the Coronavirus Household Evaluation and Respiratory Testing (C-HEaRT) study from August 2020 to August 2021 in Utah and from September 2020 to August 2021 in New York City. The study also included data from the SARS-CoV-2 Epidemiology And Response in Children (SEARCh) study in Maryland, with data collected from November 2020 to October 2021.
Participants collected and submitted nasal swabs weekly and with the onset of acute illness. The study, which followed participants through the Alpha and Delta waves, captured both asymptomatic and symptomatic infections with SARS-CoV-2. Participants completed weekly surveys about symptoms experienced in the preceding week and, if they had symptoms, what preventive measures they took such as isolating or wearing a mask.
The evolution of the virus and vaccine practices means more work needs to be done. “The emergence of new variants and availability of vaccines and boosters to people of all ages are the latest game changers,” said Dr. Danielle Hunt, vice president of Abt’s Public Health Portfolio. “New research to understand the role vaccines play in transmission can add another piece to the puzzle and help improve protection for our households.”
Participants in the study included researchers from Abt, CDC, Bloomberg School of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia University, University of Utah School of Medicine, and Marshfield Clinic Research Institute.
About Abt Global
Abt Global is a global consulting and research firm that combines data and bold thinking to improve the quality of people's lives. We partner with clients and communities to advance equity and innovation—from creating scalable digital solutions and combatting infectious disease, to mitigating climate change and evaluating programs for measurable social impact. https://www.abtglobal.com
Contact:
Stan Crock
stan_crock@abtassoc.com
(301) 347-5402
Read Our Latest News
Abt to Evaluate Sickle Cell Disease Treatment; Improve Quality in Nursing Homes, Post-Acute Care Settings
Abt Global is helping CMS determine whether a new program increases access to cell and gene therapy treatment while reducing healthcare costs.
Abt to Manage Australia’s Main Development Program for Fiji
The Australian Government recently awarded Abt Global a contract to manage a $90 million umbrella program covering half of Australia’s development assistance to Fiji.
Abt Leads Decision Support for FCDO Land Governance Programme
Abt Global Britain has been appointed to lead the Decision Support Unit of the Land Facility, funded by the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office.
Public Warning: Recruitment Phishing Scam Impersonating Abt Global
Abt Global has become aware of a phishing scheme targeting individuals with fraudulent interview requests and job offers. Abt’s secure IT systems and private applicant information have not been compromised; scammers are impersonating Abt employees, using the company name and branding to mislead and engage potential job seekers in fake recruitment processes. Scammers might reference real job openings or describe fake opportunities that generally match individuals’ professional backgrounds, with the goal of establishing communication and eventually obtaining private financial information to defraud people. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Federal Trade Commission warn that employment scams such as this are a growing cyber threat. Abt urges anyone who is contacted about employment opportunities to exercise caution and know that: All communication from Abt Global will be from an Abt employee using the @abtglobal.com email domain (e.g., recruiting@abtglobal.com). We do not use third-party recruiters. Abt Global recruiters will only schedule interviews for candidates who have applied for a position through our secure portal. You may view your application status through the applicant portal on Abt Global Careers. No corporate or IT systems at Abt are affected by this scam. The scammers are using Abt’s logo and employee names to impersonate the company. You can directly contact us at recruiting@abtglobal.com with any questions or concerns. Abt is committed to ensuring the safety and security of our community. We caution individuals to be vigilant in protecting personal data and vetting communication with new contacts from any company. Do not respond or provide any personal information if contacted by someone claiming to represent a company to which you did not submit a job application or profile. This scam can be perpetrated against any business and individuals who recognize and trust its name. For information on Abt recruitment practices and policies, please visit our careers page or email recruiting@abtglobal.com. To report a scam, visit: https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/.