CDC testing requirements for UK travelers are ‘like a chain link fence to repel mosquitoes,’ experts say

12/26/2020 Health


Starting Monday in the UK, passengers must test a negative Covid-19 within three days of boarding a flight to the United States.

“Today, President Trump is taking another step to protect the health of the American people,” the statement said.

There is concern about the coronavirus variant here

But testing three days before a flight may not be very accomplished, according to researchers at the CDC’s Covid-19 response team – reducing the risk of spreading the virus by only 5 to 9%.

An infectious disease specialist at the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. The new test requirement is “like putting a chain link fence to keep mosquitoes out,” said Paul Fitte.
The CDC acknowledges that “testing does not eliminate all hazards,” but when combined with other measures such as self-inspection for symptoms, masks and distance, “it can make travel safer.”

Covid-19 tests always miss a recent infection, so one can test negatively and actually get infected because they are not shedding as many viruses as can be detected.

Researchers believe that the U.S. In the 'hundreds' of people in the UK may be strained to the new coronavirus

“A lot of people miss out on testing 72 hours before a flight,” said Dr Peter Hotez, an infectious disease specialist at Baylor College College of Medicine. already in the United States.

On the other hand, testing on the day of departure may be more effective, reducing the risk of transmission from 37% to 61%, according to a November report by CDC scientists, based on mathematical modeling and not peer-reviewed.

Health officials are anxious to cut the spread UK variant, which is more easily transmitted than other coronavirus strains.

The CDC has not responded to requests for comment on this story.

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