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We enrolled arriving international air travelers in a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 genomic surveillance program. We used molecular testing of pooled nasal swabs and sequenced positive samples for sublineage. Traveler-based surveillance provided early-warning variant detection, reporting the first US Omicron BA.2 and BA.3 in North America. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The publications of small and medium publishers are of ten a critical part of library collections. At the same time, these publishers face many challenges as they compete in an e-world with market players who have much greater resources at their disposal. As a result, smaller publishers often offer unique publishing concepts, business models and delivery options. The panel looked at how these publishers are managing in this new environment, and explored their relationships with libraries, subscription agents and other vendors. They reviewed the market forces behind their idea, the business realities they face in launching a new and innovative product, and their experiences in enduser and library communities. The panel included two publishers offering their perspectives on this issue, as well a subscription agent examining their role in reducing complexity and driving efficiency in this rapidly changing market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Competing Interests: All authors have completed and submitted the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors form for disclosure of potential conflicts of interest. Andrew P. Rothstein, Casandra W. Philipson, Birgitte B. Simen, and Robert C. Morfino own Ginkgo Bioworks employee stocks or restricted stock unit grants. Ezra T. Ernst owns XWELL employee stocks or restricted stock unit grants. No other potential conflicts of interest were disclosed.

Beginning December 6, 2021, all international air passengers boarding flights to the United States were required to show either a negative result from a SARS-CoV-2 viral test taken ≤1 day before departure or proof of recovery from COVID-19 within the preceding 90 days (1). As of June 12, 2022, predeparture testing was no longer mandatory but remained recommended by CDC (2,3). Various modeling studies have estimated that predeparture testing the day before or the day of air travel reduces transmission or importation of SARS-CoV-2 by 31%-76% (4-7). Postarrival SARS-CoV-2 pooled testing data from CDC's Traveler-based Genomic Surveillance program were used to compare SARS-CoV-2 test results among volunteer travelers arriving at four U.S. airports during two 12-week periods: March 20-June 11, 2022, when predeparture testing was required, and June 12-September 3, 2022, when predeparture testing was not required. In a multivariable logistic regression model, pooled nasal swab specimens collected during March 20-June 11 were 52% less likely to be positive for SARS-CoV-2 than were those collected during June 12-September 3, after adjusting for COVID-19 incidence in the flight's country of origin, sample pool size, and collection airport (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.48, 95% CI = 0.39-0.58) (p<0.001). These findings support predeparture testing as a tool for reducing travel-associated SARS-CoV-2 transmission and provide important real-world evidence that can guide decisions for future outbreaks and pandemics., Competing Interests: All authors have completed and submitted the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors form for disclosure of potential conflicts of interest. Benjamin H. Rome, Siyao Lisa Li, Thomas W.S. Aichele, and Robert C. Morfino are employed by Ginkgo Bioworks and own Ginkgo Bioworks employee stocks or restricted stock units (RSU) grants. Ezra T. Ernst is employed by XWELL and owns XWELL employee stocks or RSU grants. No other potential conflicts of interest were disclosed.

Competing Interests: All authors have completed and submitted the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors form for disclosure of potential conflicts of interest. Robert C. Morfino, Benjamin H. Rome, Andrew P. Rothstein, Siyao Lisa Li, and Thomas W. S. Aichele report Ginkgo Bioworks employee stocks or restricted stock units (RSU) grants. Aaron Bivins reports grants from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Louisiana Water Resources Research Institute, and Louisiana State University, payments from BioRad Laboratories, and equipment or materials from Ceres Nanosciences. Ezra T. Ernst reports XWELL employee stocks or RSU grants. No other potential conflicts of interest were disclosed.