Entry Screening at Airport as a COVID-19 Surveillance Tool: Evaluation of Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in Kerala, India

Autor: Chintha Sujatha, Sreejith Lalitha Krishnankutty, Khalid Khader, Anju K. Kanmani, Arya Rahul, Meenu M. Suresh, Reshma Rajan Sudha, Pillaveettil Sathyadas Indu
Rok vydání: 2021
Předmět:
Zdroj: International Journal of Travel Medicine and Global Health. 9:78-83
ISSN: 2476-5759
DOI: 10.34172/ijtmgh.2021.13
Popis: Introduction: As part of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) control strategies, entry screening was established at International airports. An assessment of the screening system will inform decision-making for improving entry screening for infectious diseases. Methods: Assessment of entry screening at Thiruvananthapuram international airport done during pre and post-lockdown phases. Observation, interviews, and secondary data analysis were the methods employed. The number of passengers screened, their symptom profile, the yield of screening, actions taken, staff pattern, perceptions, training, and infection control practices assessed. Chi-square test and t test were used for testing significance. Results: Out of the 46139 passengers screened pre-lockdown, 297 (0.64%) had symptoms, 23 (0.05%) were positive in thermal screening. Six (2%) among them tested positive for COVID-19. Out of the 44263 passengers screened post lockdown, from May to July 2020, 671 (1.5%) were symptomatic, and 12 (0.03%) were positive in thermal screening. COVID-19 was confirmed in 45 (6.7 %) patients identified through the screening. With the surge in cases, the proportion of passengers opting for institutional quarantine increased significantly (P
Databáze: OpenAIRE