Limited Secondary Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in Child Care Programs - Rhode Island, June 1-July 31, 2020

Abstract

On June 1, 2020, with declines in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases and hospitalizations in Rhode Island,* child care programs in the state reopened after a nearly 3-month closure implemented as part of mitigation efforts. To reopen safely, the Rhode Island Department of Human Services (RIDHS) required licensed center- and home-based child care programs to reduce enrollment, initially to a maximum of 12 persons, including staff members, in stable groups (i.e., staff members and students not switching between groups) in physically separated spaces, increasing to a maximum of 20 persons on June 29. Additional requirements included universal use of masks for adults, daily symptom screening of adults and children, and enhanced cleaning and disinfection according to CDC guidelines.^† As of July 31, 666 of 891 (75%) programs were approved to reopen, with capacity for 18,945 children, representing 74% of the state's January 2020 child care program population (25,749 children).

FIGURE

Child care–associated confirmed (N = 33) and probable (N = 19) COVID-19 cases, by specimen collection or onset week and incidence of confirmed COVID-19 cases — Rhode Island, June 1–July 31, 2020 Abbreviation: COVID-19 = coronavirus disease 2019. * Confirmed cases were defined as a positive reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction test result for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19; probable cases met clinical and epidemiologic criteria, with no laboratory testing. ^† Probable cases did not have specimens collected and are therefore listed by symptom onset date. ^§ Data on incidence were sourced via Rhode Island Department of Health and include confirmed cases only.