Experts say the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) testing requirements for travelers in the UK are like a “chain fencing to prevent mosquitoes”

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

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

But according to researchers on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Covid-19 Response Team, testing three days before the flight may not achieve much – reducing the risk of the virus spreading by only 5-9%.

Dr. Paul Offitt, an infectious disease specialist at the University of Pennsylvania, said … New test requirements “It’s like setting up a chain link fence to keep away mosquitoes.”
The CDC command acknowledges “The test does not eliminate all risks,” but when combined with other measures such as self-monitoring of symptoms, masks and spacing, “it can make travel safer.”

Covid-19 tests often miss recent infections, so anyone can test negative and already be infected because it does not release enough viruses to detect it.

Researchers believe & # 39;  Hundreds & # 39;  Of people in the United States could have a new strain of Coronavirus in the United Kingdom

“Many people will miss the test 72 hours before the flight,” said Dr. Peter Hotez, an infectious disease specialist at Baylor College of Medicine, indicating that the new variant appeared in the UK three months ago and is likely already in the US.

On the other hand, testing on the day of departure may be more effective, as it reduces the risk of transmission by 37 to 61%. According to CDC scientists in November The report is based on mathematical modeling and has not been peer-reviewed.

Health officials have been keen to limit the spread of the variant in the UK, which appears to be transmitted more easily than other strains of the Coronavirus.

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The CDC did not respond to requests for comment for this story.

Sacha Woodward

"Wannabe writer. Lifelong problem solver. Gamer. Incurable web guru. Professional music lover."

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