Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 17, 2025

A High-Throughput Multiplexed Screening for Type 1 Diabetes, Celiac Diseases, and COVID-19
Published on: July 5, 2022
Temperature screening has negligible value for control of COVID-19
Biswadev Mitra1,2,3, Carl Luckhoff1, Rob D Mitchell1,3
1Emergency and Trauma Centre, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Objective:
To report the incidence of fever among patients who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2.
Methods:
Retrospective cohort study of patients who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 at a single centre. Temperature at time of testing and on repeat testing within 24 h were collected.
Results:
At the time of testing, fever was detected (sensitivity) in 16 of 86 (19%; 95% confidence interval 11-28) episodes of positive tests for SARS-CoV-2. With repeat testing, fever was detected in 18 of 75 (24%; 95% confidence interval 15-35) episodes.
Conclusions:
In an Australian hospital, screening for fever lacked sensitivity for detection of patients with SARS-CoV-2.
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