A new modelling study has shown that individuals below the age of 20 years have about half the odds of contracting COVID-19 infection, compared to adults. These individuals also have lesser odds of transmitting the disease to others.

The study looked at 637 households whose members had undergone PCR testing in spring last year. Some of them also underwent serology testing for antibodies to SARS-CoV-2. It was noted that those below 20 had 43% lesser susceptibility to COVID-19 as compared to those above 20. Children appeared to have greater odds of getting a negative PCR result in spite of being infected. This could probably account for the reports from across the globe that lesser number of children are diagnosed in comparison with adults.

The findings are published in the journal PLOS Computational Biology… (NDTV – PTI, February 15, 2021)