Classroom and staffroom floor swabs across six elementary schools in Ottawa, Canada were tested for SARS-CoV-2. Environmental test positivity did not correlate with student grade groups, school-level absenteeism, pediatric COVID-19-related hospitalizations, or community SARS-CoV-2 wastewater levels. Schools in neighbourhoods with historically elevated COVID-19 burden showed a negative but non-significant association with lower swab positivity.
Competing Interests: ED works for DNA Genotek that provided sampling swabs in-kind for this study in an unrestricted fashion. DNA Genotek had no control over the findings, interpretations, or conclusions published in this paper. MF is a consultant for ProofDx, a start-up company that has created a point of care testing device for adults with COVID-19 using CRISPR. DM is a consultant for wastewater surveillance, World Bank. All other authors have no relevant conflicts to disclose. “This does not alter our adherence to PLOS ONE policies on sharing data and materials.”
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