About half of elementary school students in a California classroom tested positive for COVID-19 after being exposed to an infected teacher who had not \u2026<\/b>
\nAbout half of elementary school students in a California classroom tested positive for COVID-19 after being exposed to an infected teacher who had not been vaccinated, highlighting the delta variant\u2019s ability to quickly spread, a federal study released Friday found. Of the teacher\u2019s 24 students,22 were tested for the virus that causes COVID-19. Twelve students tested positive between May 23 and May 26, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. All 22 children were too young to receive a vaccine, as the shots have not been approved for youths younger than 12. In total,27 cases of COVID-19 were found in the Marin County class, including the teacher. Sequencing of 18 samples identified the highly contagious delta variant of the coronavirus. \u201cThis outbreak of COVID-19 that originated with an unvaccinated teacher highlights the importance of vaccinating school staff members who are in close indoor contact with children ineligible for vaccination as schools reopen,\u201d the CDC researchers wrote in their report. \u201cThe outbreak\u2019s attack rate highlights the delta variant\u2019s increased transmissibility and potential for rapid spread, especially in unvaccinated populations such as schoolchildren too young for vaccination.\u201d The \u201cattack rate\u201d of the coronavirus variant was highest for the two rows of kids seated closest to the teacher\u2019s desk, with eight of the 10 students testing positive. For the three back rows, the attack rate was 21%, with three of 14 students contracting the virus. Six other students in a different grade who were also too young for vaccination tested positive between May 24 and June 1. Officials confirmed eight more cases among parents and siblings of infected students, three of whom were fully vaccinated. \u201cIn addition to vaccination for eligible persons, strict adherence to nonpharmaceutical prevention strategies, including masking, routine testing, facility ventilation, and staying home when symptomatic, are important to ensure safe in-person learning in schools,\u201d the study authors said.<\/p>\n