Problems associated with mass border testing of COVID-19

Abstract

We evaluated the yield of exit screening for SARS-Cov-2 performed in order for travellers to meet entry requirements to Sweden. Among 472 people screened, no infectious case of COVID-19 was detected, while two previously known cases were redetected after having already completed isolation. Our data suggest that depending on the epidemiological situation in the area of departure, border screening can lead to very low positive predictive values and very high costs per relevant case detected.