‘No evidence’ of COVID-19 spread on school buses: study

A small study out of Virginia found school buses didn’t contribute to spread of COVID-19 between students or adults when physical distancing, universal masking and simple ventilation practices were in place.

Findings published in the Journal of School Health on July 20 analyzed COVID-19 transmission among 15 private school buses serving 462 students at an independent school grades 1-12 in Virginia. A robust screening program tested students on a biweekly, and later, weekly basis over a seven month period. Results indicated 39 people took the bus while infectious with COVID-19, leading to the quarantine of 52 students, however, "universal testing and contact tracing revealed no transmission linked to bus transportation," the study reads. About half of the students were in grades 1-6, 164 in grades 7-9 and 63 in grades 10-12. Students didn't undergo symptom or temperature checks or given hand sanitizer when boarding the bus, but the school system emailed a checklist home each night to families to encourage self-reporting of symptoms. Everyone was instructed to wear a mask while on the bus.