Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Sebastian Walsh, Avirup Chowdhury, Vickie Braithwaite, Simon Russell, Jack Michael Birch, Joseph L. Ward, Claire Waddington, Carol Brayne, Chris Bonell, Russell M. Viner, Oliver T. Mytton
Summary: This study systematically reviewed the observational evidence on the impact of school closures and reopenings on SARS-CoV-2 community transmission globally. The effectiveness of school closures remains uncertain, while school reopenings in areas of low transmission and with appropriate mitigation measures were generally not associated with an increase in community transmission.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Samuel Hume, Samuel Robert Brown, Kamal Ram Mahtani
Summary: This study provides an overview of the benefits and drawbacks of school closures and in-school mitigations during the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings suggest that both school closures and in-school mitigations are associated with reduced COVID-19 transmission, morbidity, and mortality in the community. However, school closures are also linked to reduced learning, increased anxiety, and increased obesity in pupils. The review highlights the need for further research on the potential drawbacks of in-school mitigations. Overall, this study provides valuable evidence for policymakers considering school closures in future waves of COVID-19.
BMJ EVIDENCE-BASED MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Michaela James, Emily Marchant, Margaret Anne Defeyter, Jayne Woodside, Sinead Brophy
Summary: This study found that during school closures, children showed improvements in physical activity levels, sleep time, happiness, and overall well-being compared to previous years. However, children receiving free school meals consumed fewer fruits and vegetables, had lower self-assessed school competence, spent less time doing physical activity, and consumed more takeaways during school closures compared to those not receiving free school meals.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Nicole Zviedrite, Jeffrey D. Hodis, Ferdous Jahan, Hongjiang Gao, Amra Uzicanin
Summary: During the COVID-19 pandemic, school closures were implemented as a community mitigation measure recommended by CDC. This study analyzed the patterns of school closures and how K-12 districts adjusted their education delivery and meal provision methods. The research found that the majority of districts offered distance learning and continued subsidized meal programs during the closures.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Matt Hawrilenko, Emily Kroshus, Pooja Tandon, Dimitri Christakis
Summary: This study found that older, Black and Hispanic children, as well as those from lower income families, who attend school remotely may experience greater negative effects on mental health compared to younger, White, and higher-income counterparts. Ensuring access to additional educational and mental health resources for all students should be a key public health priority during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, requiring appropriate funding and workforce support.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Joseph A. Ladapo, Jonathan T. Rothwell, Christina M. Ramirez
Summary: Misperceptions about COVID-19 health risks are associated with preferences for school and business closures and fear of serious illness. Many people have inaccurate beliefs about COVID-19 health risks, with overestimation being the most common. Overestimating the risks is linked to increased fear of serious illness if infected, as well as stronger preferences for business and school closures.
PREVENTIVE MEDICINE REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Hao Lei, Hangjin Jiang, Nan Zhang, Xiaoli Duan, Tao Chen, Lei Yang, Dayan Wang, Yuelong Shu
Summary: The study analyzed influenza surveillance data from the Chinese National Influenza Center between 2010 and 2019, finding that school closure can reduce the effective reproductive number of seasonal influenza epidemics in less urbanized provinces in China. Urbanization is associated with decreased proportion of children and increased social contact, affecting the impact of school closure on influenza transmission.
INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF POVERTY
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Jennifer O. Ahweyevu, Ngozi P. Chukwudebe, Brittany M. Buchanan, Jingjing Yin, Bishwa B. Adhikari, Xiaolu Zhou, Zion Tsz Ho Tse, Gerardo Chowell, Martin Meltzer, Isaac Chun-Hai Fung
Summary: The study found that adding Twitter as a data source in USC monitoring can significantly increase the number of identified schools with USC, suggesting policymakers consider incorporating Twitter into existing monitoring systems.
DISASTER MEDICINE AND PUBLIC HEALTH PREPAREDNESS
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Wilfred Hing-Sang Wong, Sinead Peare, Hiu Ying Lam, Chun Bong Chow, Yu Lung Lau
Summary: The study found that the School Outreach Vaccination (SOV) program initiated by the Hong Kong Government significantly increased vaccination coverage rates and reduced influenza-related hospital admissions among school-aged children. Estimation of vaccine coverage rates using a questionnaire-based tool aligned closely with the official rates published by the Center for Health Protection, providing valuable insights for achieving universal vaccination.
HUMAN VACCINES & IMMUNOTHERAPEUTICS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Guobo Li, Le Yang, Xingyan Xu, Mingjun Chen, Yingying Cai, Yeying Wen, Xiaoxu Xie, Xinyue Lu, Suping Luo, Shaowei Lin, Huangyuan Li, Siying Wu
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic may worsen childhood obesity, particularly among children living in urban or coastal areas, boys, and those aged 4-6.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Critical Care Medicine
Colin M. Rogerson, Anna Lin, Margaret J. Klein, Janine Zee-Cheng, Casey K. McCluskey, Matthew C. Scanlon, Alexandre T. Rotta, Kenneth E. Remy, Steven L. Shein, Christopher L. Carroll
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the association between nationwide school closures and the prevalence of common admission diagnoses in the pediatric critical care unit. The results showed that the admission ratios for bronchiolitis, pneumonia, and asthma significantly decreased following school closure, while nonrespiratory diseases did not show significant changes.
PEDIATRIC CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Despoina Gkentzi, Eleni Benetatou, Ageliki Karatza, Aimilia Kanellopoulou, Sotirios Fouzas, Maria Lagadinou, Markos Marangos, Gabriel Dimitriou
Summary: The study aimed to assess the attitudes, knowledge, and influenza vaccine uptake of school teachers in Greece, as well as their intention to uptake influenza and COVID-19 vaccines during the pandemic. Factors associated with vaccine acceptance were identified. The findings suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic has influenced the intention of school teachers to get vaccinated for influenza, highlighting the need for public health interventions to increase knowledge and vaccination uptake in this at-risk population.
HUMAN VACCINES & IMMUNOTHERAPEUTICS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Joohyun Park, Heesoo Joo, Brian A. Maskery, Nicole Zviedrite, Amra Uzicanin
Summary: This study estimated the costs of ILI-related reactive school closures in the United States over eight academic years. The highest costs were found in Tennessee and Kentucky, and in rural or town areas compared to cities or suburbs. These findings provide evidence to support efforts in reducing the burden of seasonal influenza in disproportionately impacted states or communities.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Muhammad Syawal Amran, Khairul Azhar Jamaludin
Summary: This study explored the behavioral health experiences of adolescents during the COVID-19 outbreak in Malaysia. Findings indicate that adolescents faced changes in sleep patterns, stress-related fatigue, dysfunctional eating patterns, and lack of physical activity during the pandemic. The research highlights the importance of addressing health communication gap among adolescents with the involvement of family, schools, and media to help them adapt to the new norms.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Evan J. Jordan, Sarah J. Young, Nir Menachemi
Summary: While public health education traditionally focuses on specific disciplines, integrating subjects like leisure studies can better prepare students for their future in the field. There is potential for various other subject areas and departments to integrate into schools of public health in the future.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Eric Yuk Fai Wan, Celine Sze Ling Chui, Vanessa Wai Sei Ng, Yuan Wang, Vincent Ka Chun Yan, Ivan Chun Hang Lam, Min Fan, Francisco Tsz Tsun Lai, Esther Wai Yin Chan, Xue Li, Carlos King Ho Wong, Raccoon Ka Cheong Chung, Benjamin John Cowling, Wing Chi Fong, Alexander Yuk Lun Lau, Vincent Chung Tong Mok, Frank Ling Fung Chan, Cheuk Kwong Lee, Lot Sze Tao Chan, Dawin Lo, Kui Kai Lau, Ivan Fan Ngai Hung, Chak Sing Lau, Gabriel Matthew Leung, Ian Chi Kei Wong
Summary: Based on electronic health records in Hong Kong, the risk of Bell's palsy increased following BNT162b2 vaccination, particularly within 14 days after the second dose. However, the absolute risk remains very low, so the benefits of COVID-19 vaccination still outweigh the small risk of Bell's palsy.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Nancy H. L. Leung, Samuel M. S. Cheng, Mario Martin-Sanchez, Niki Y. M. Au, Yvonne Y. Ng, Leo L. H. Luk, Karl C. K. Chan, John K. C. Li, Yonna W. Y. Leung, Leo C. H. Tsang, Sara Chaothai, Kelvin K. H. Kwan, Dennis K. M. Ip, Leo L. M. Poon, Gabriel M. Leung, J. S. Malik Peiris, Benjamin J. Cowling
Summary: In this study, it was found that a third dose of mRNA vaccine significantly improved antibody levels against the ancestral virus and the Omicron variant in Chinese adults aged >= 30 years who had previously received 2 doses of inactivated COVID-19 vaccine. The third dose also had a well-tolerated safety profile.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Heidi Peck, Nithila Anbumurali, Kimberley McMahon, Kevin Freeman, Ammar Aziz, Leah Gillespie, Bingyi Yang, Jean Moselen, Yi Mo Deng, Benjamin J. Cowling, Ian G. Barr, Kanta Subbarao, Sheena G. Sullivan
Summary: Despite low circulation of influenza, 42 cases were identified among 15,026 travelers in quarantine in Darwin, Australia, in 2020. Testing during quarantine is an important source of viruses for influenza vaccine strain selection and underscores the potential for influenza epidemics as global travel resumes.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Benjamin J. Cowling, Samuel M. S. Cheng, Mario Martin-Sanchez, Niki Y. M. Au, Karl C. K. Chan, John K. C. Li, Lison W. C. Fung, Leo L. H. Luk, Leo C. H. Tsang, Dennis K. M. Ip, Leo L. M. Poon, Gabriel M. Leung, J. S. Malik Peiris, Nancy H. L. Leung
Summary: We administered a third dose of BNT162b2 to 314 adults aged >= 30 years who had previously received 2 doses of inactivated vaccine. Blood samples were collected before the third dose, after 1 month, and after 6 months. The study found robust antibody responses to the ancestral strain at 6 months after receiving BNT162b2, but weaker and declining antibody responses to Omicron BA.2 after the third dose.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Editorial Material
Critical Care Medicine
Benjamin J. Cowling, Shuyi Zhong
LANCET RESPIRATORY MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Faith Ho, Kris V. Parag, Dillon C. Adam, Eric H. Y. Lau, Benjamin J. Cowling, Tim K. Tsang
Summary: This study developed a negative binomial framework to estimate R-t and a time-varying dispersion parameter (k(t)), and applied it to COVID-19 incidence data in Hong Kong in 2020 and 2021. The results showed that our approach estimated an R-t peaking around 4, similar to the conventional method but with a better model fit. Our approach also identified significant heterogeneity in transmission and a sharp decrease in the dispersion parameter (k(t)) when large clusters of infections occurred.
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Jiehu Yuan, Wendy Wing Tak Lam, Jingyi Xiao, Michael Yuxuan Ni, Benjamin John Cowling, Qiuyan Liao
Summary: This qualitative study aimed to explore the reasons behind COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among Chinese older adults in Hong Kong. The study found that older adults' hesitancy was influenced by factors such as lack of decisional support, negative perception of aging, fatalistic risk attitudes, present-oriented time perspectives, and negative values on western biomedicine.
JOURNALS OF GERONTOLOGY SERIES B-PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Nicole Ngai Yung Tsang, Hau Chi So, Benjamin J. Cowling, Gabriel M. Leung, Dennis Kai Ming Ip
Summary: This study investigated the effectiveness of the BNT162b2 and CoronaVac vaccines against Omicron variant infections. The results showed that the use of booster doses of these vaccines significantly reduced the risk of Omicron variant infections.
LANCET INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Meihong Dong, Dennis Kai Ming Ip, Jiehu Yuan, Hau Chi So, Benjamin J. Cowling, Qiuyan Liao
Summary: The school-located influenza vaccination programme (SIVP) can effectively promote childhood seasonal influenza vaccination. However, the longitudinal effects of continuation and discontinuation of the SIVP on parents' vaccine hesitancy remained unknown.
JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Dillon C. Adam, Mario Martin-Sanchez, Haogao Gu, Bingyi Yang, Yun Lin, Peng Wu, Eric H. Y. Lau, Gabriel M. Leung, Leo L. M. Poon, Benjamin J. Cowling
Summary: This study systematically analyzed the potential risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection during hotel quarantine in Hong Kong and identified previously undetected transmission events. While the risk of acquiring infection during hotel quarantine is low, these rare events could have significant consequences for immunologically naive communities. Enhancing monitoring and control measures are necessary, especially if on-arrival quarantine is to be continued in the long term.
LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH-WESTERN PACIFIC
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Carlos K. H. Wong, Kristy T. K. Lau, Ivan C. H. Au, Eric H. Y. Lau, Benjamin J. Cowling
Summary: This cohort study conducted in Hong Kong found no significant differences in mortality or hospitalization between individuals who received bivalent and monovalent mRNA as their second booster. Both bivalent and monovalent mRNA boosters provide equal protection against clinical outcomes.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Carlos King Ho Wong, Lung Yi Mak, Ivan Chi Ho Au, Wing Yiu Cheng, Ching Hei So, Kristy Tsz Kwan Lau, Eric Ho Yin Lau, Benjamin J. Cowling, Gabriel M. Leung, Man Fung Yuen
Summary: A self-controlled case-series study was conducted to evaluate the risk and severity of acute liver injury (ALI) associated with nirmatrelvir/ritonavir treatment for COVID-19. The study found that the risk of ALI was elevated before treatment initiation but not during the five-day treatment period. ALI cases in nirmatrelvir/ritonavir users were generally less severe than those in non-users and had a lower risk of all-cause death.
LIVER INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Zhanwei Du, Xiao Zhang, Lin Wang, Sidan Yao, Yuan Bai, Qi Tan, Xiaoke Xu, Sen Pei, Jingyi Xiao, Tim K. Tsang, Qiuyan Liao, Eric H. Y. Lau, Peng Wu, Chao Gao, Benjamin J. Cowling
Summary: During extreme events like COVID-19 crisis, people tend to engage in collective online behaviors to express awareness, take action, and work through concerns. This study in Hong Kong SAR during the first two waves of COVID-19 provides a framework for evaluating the interactions among individuals' emotions, perceptions, and online behaviors. The study results show a strong correlation between online behaviors, such as Google searches, and the real-time reproduction numbers.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Hualei Xin, Peng Wu, Jessica Y. Wong, Justin K. Cheung, Eric H. Y. Lau, Gabriel M. Leung, Benjamin J. Cowling, Joshua Nealon
Summary: Hong Kong implemented a strict COVID-19 elimination strategy in 2020. This study estimated the impact of pandemic responses on hospitalizations and deaths. The findings showed a reduction in hospitalizations and an increase in deaths, potentially due to changes in healthcare seeking behavior and the vulnerability of certain population groups. Better healthcare planning is necessary during public health emergencies.
LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH-WESTERN PACIFIC
(2023)
