Actual positive test results before returning the the US

I do not think you would ever see an "actual" rate, that data is just not collected as a dataset of people boarding a plane. When I have been tested here in the US or in Europe, I was just a person being tested, with hundreds of others that day. Any positive cases are just reported as positivity for that area.

Even the airlines can not accurately track the data, since you would not report a negative case, just cancel or postpone the flight, which happens all the time.

But to your point, Yes, I think the rate of positive results is very low. First consider that nearly all that are traveling have been vaccinated, so that population has a low rate of breakthrough cases (to date). Second, as you suggested, anecdotally, on this forum, and others I visit, you hear lots of negative covid results, but very few positive results...on this forum, maybe fewer than you can count on one hand, maybe only one that I can actually point to.

But, it is a risk, you need to prepare for that risk; if testing positive and delaying return (or starting your trip) will break you, then you might need to reconsider travel.

I agree with Paul. I don’t think it’s data that’s collected.

Anecdotally, yes, here on this forum with people “we” know as regular participants there are 2 - a forum member and her husband who live in France part of the year.

FWIW, I also read the Trip Advisor Paris forum daily and the wider France Forum probably weekly. No one has posted on there that they’ve had a positive test. Someone did point to the TA Italy forum where a guy had posted he’d tested positive and was relating his experience with quarantine.

Anecdotally, again, I chatted with the folks at the Reception desk at my Paris hotel. It does have a clientele of Americans and other travelers. She said to her knowledge no one had tested positive and needed to quarantine.

This was pre-Omicron.

The CDC might have a record. We had to fill out the CDC attestation, check box#3, and furnish medical authorization.

Anecdote : the gate agent had never seen an attestation with #3 and medical permission to fly. Conclusion is that it's rare.

Opinion: I think tourists are generally very cautious due to the negative test requirement to get home.

I do not think you would ever see an "actual" rate, that data is just not collected as a dataset of people boarding a plane.

And additionally, given the fact that many/most of these people are being tested in the health care systems of multiple foreign countries (true, some/many are using US-based tests that they have taken with them).

The CDC might have a record.

You would think. But, they don’t. They don’t track this or several other COVID related statistics you’d think they would, such as breakthrough infections (only if your hospitalized). But, judging by the self reported anecdotes it’s likely not common. And, judging by the evolving news on Omicron I’d sure want a booster before traveling.