Alliance for Pandemic Preparedness

April 22, 2021

Airport Traveler Testing Program for SARS-CoV-2 — Alaska, June–November 2020

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  • 0.8% of passengers arriving to Alaska from June to November 14, 2020 tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 (951 of 126,000 tests). Passengers tested on arrival made up roughly a third of all air travelers arriving in Alaska during the study period, as other travelers opted to be tested within 72 hours before arrival or to self-quarantine without testing after arrival. Airport testing positivity largely remained <1% and peaked at 2.6% during October to November. Testing on arrival positivity rates were consistently lower than overall state positivity rates.

Ohlsen et al. (Apr 23, 2021). Airport Traveler Testing Program for SARS-CoV-2 — Alaska, June–November 2020. MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7016a2