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Airport Traveler Testing Program for SARS-CoV-2 — Alaska, June–November 2020
- Source :
- Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report
- Publication Year :
- 2021
- Publisher :
- Centers for Disease Control MMWR Office, 2021.
-
Abstract
- Travel can facilitate SARS-CoV-2 introduction. To reduce introduction of SARS-CoV-2 infections, the state of Alaska implemented a program on June 6, 2020, for arriving air, sea, and road travelers that required either molecular testing for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, or a 14-day self-quarantine after arrival. The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) used weekly standardized reports submitted by 10 participating Alaska airports to evaluate air traveler choices to undergo testing or self-quarantine, traveler test results, and airport personnel experiences while implementing the program. Among 386,435 air travelers who arrived in Alaska during June 6-November 14, 2020, a total of 184,438 (48%) chose to be tested within 72 hours before arrival, 111,370 (29%) chose to be tested on arrival, and 39,685 (10%) chose to self-quarantine without testing after arrival. An additional 15,112 persons received testing at airport testing sites; these were primarily travelers obtaining a second test 7-14 days after arrival, per state guidance. Of the 126,482 airport tests performed in Alaska, 951 (0.8%) results were positive, or one per 406 arriving travelers. Airport testing program administrators reported that clear communication, preparation, and organization were vital for operational success; challenges included managing travelers' expectations and ensuring that sufficient personnel and physical space were available to conduct testing. Expected mitigation measures such as vaccination, physical distancing, mask wearing, and avoidance of gatherings after arrival might also help limit postarrival transmission. Posttravel self-quarantine and testing programs might reduce travel-associated SARS-CoV-2 transmission and importation, even without enforcement. Traveler education and community and industry partnerships might help ensure success.
- Subjects :
- Program evaluation
2019-20 coronavirus outbreak
Health (social science)
Airports
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Epidemiology
Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)
Social Welfare
01 natural sciences
03 medical and health sciences
COVID-19 Testing
0302 clinical medicine
Health Information Management
Humans
Medicine
Full Report
030212 general & internal medicine
0101 mathematics
Enforcement
Travel
business.industry
010102 general mathematics
COVID-19
General Medicine
medicine.disease
Test (assessment)
Quarantine
Physical space
Medical emergency
Travel-Related Illness
business
Alaska
Program Evaluation
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 1545861X and 01492195
- Volume :
- 70
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....10d2eb2205e4fa9d581c35c77d063ea2