Summary of benefits of closing schools. Results from Belgian studies and rapid review
| Benefits | Schools closed | Schools open | Certainty of evidence (GRADE) | Conclusions of reviews |
| Per 100 000 for 14 days | ||||
| Number of infections among teachers | 6 | 174 | Very low | Typically only single or few (<5) infections among staff in schools.1 |
| Number of infections among | Very low | Opening/closing schools has inconsistent results on community transmission levels. Reopening schools does not seem to be associated with increased infections in community.17 | ||
| 0–5 years | 7 | 22 | Risk of infections in secondary schools is higher compared with primary schools.30 | |
| 6–12 years | 5 | 158 | ||
| 13–18 years | 9 | 331 | ||
| 19–65 years | 24 | 223 | ||
| 65+ years | 38 | 83 | ||
| Number of infections among grandparents | 20 | 111 | Very low | |
| Totals | ||||
| Number of hospitalisations due to COVID-19 infections | 453 | 804 | Very low | |
| Risk of transmission from child or teacher to household | No Belgian data | The risk of transmission from children (to household or community) is inconclusive.1 | ||
GRADE, Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation.