Cost effectiveness and decision analysis for evaluation of the national airport screening options in COVID-19 surveillance in Uganda, 2020

Abstract

Early during the COVID-19 outbreak, various approaches were utilized around the world to preventing introduction of COVID-19 from incoming airport travellers. However, the costs and effectiveness of airport-specific interventions had not been evaluated. We evaluated different policy options for COVID-19-specific interventions at Entebbe International Airport to inform decision-making in future similar situations. Screening all incoming travellers for symptoms, testing symptomatic persons, and isolating positives (Option 2) was the most cost-effective option for airport interventions against COVID-19. Higher prevalence of infection among incoming travellers increased cost-effectiveness of airport-specific interventions. This model may be used to evaluate prevention options at the airport for COVID-19 and other diseases with similar requirements for control.