CDC adds two destinations to its ‘high’ risk category for travel

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(CNN) – A popular destination in the Middle East and a small Dutch Caribbean island was added to the CDC’s “high risk” category of travel on Monday.

Jordan and Saint Eustatius were the only two additions to Level 3, the “high” risk category.

Jordan is home to the ruins of many of the world’s great civilizations and Newly recognized UNESCO site. Also called Statia, Sint Eustatius is 6 miles (10 km) long and up to 3 miles (5 km) wide, dominating the island of Quill, a dormant volcano.

Level 3 sites account for more than half of the approximately 235 places the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention monitors.

Level 3 became the number one risk level in April after the CDC She fixed her rating system To assess the risks of Covid-19 to travelers.

This designation applies to places with more than 100 cases per 100,000 residents in the past 28 days. Level 2 and Level 1 are considered “medium” and “low” risk, respectively.

To summarize, these two destinations were added to Level 3 on August 8:

• Jordan
• Saint Eustatius

Level 4, previously the highest risk category, is now reserved only for special circumstances, such as an extremely high case number, the emergence of a new worrisome variable or the collapse of healthcare infrastructure. Under the new system, no destination has been placed at level 4 yet.

More about level 3

Much of Europe has been stubbornly housed in level 3 for several months with the summer travel season now in the traditionally busy month of August. The following popular European destinations were among those that remained at Level 3 as of August 8:

• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Ireland
• Italia
• Holland
• Norway
• Portugal
• Spain
• United kingdom

These are not the only notable locations that find themselves in level 3. Many other destinations around the world are among those in the “high” risk category, including the following:

• Brazil
• Canada
• Costa Rica
• Malaysia
• Mexico
• South Korea
• Thailand
• turkey

The CDC advises that you be up to date on your Covid-19 vaccinations before traveling to a Tier 3 destination. “Until now” It means that you not only got your complete primary vaccinations, but any boosters for which you are eligible.
Senegal, with the image of the Ngor region in Dakar, moved to Level 2 on Monday.

Senegal, with the image of the Ngor region in Dakar, moved to Level 2 on Monday.

Adobe Stock

Level 2

Destinations rated “Level 2: Moderate Covid-19” have reported 50 to 100 Covid-19 cases per 100,000 residents in the past 28 days. The CDC identified three new Level 2 places on Monday:

• Azerbaijan
• Kyrgyzstan
• Senegal

The move was bad news for all three locations, which were all previously listed as Level 1. There are 20 places listed as Level 2 this week.

in that Broader Travel GuidelinesThe CDC recommends keeping up to date with your vaccinations before traveling internationally.

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Level 1

To be listed as ‘Level 1: Covid-19 Low’, a destination must have had 49 or fewer new cases per 100,000 residents in the past 28 days. Two places were added to the category on August 8:

• Suriname
• Zimbabwe

Both destinations have moved to a lower risk level. Suriname was previously listed at level 3, and Zimbabwe was previously listed at level 2.

There are about 25 ranks in the “low” risk category this week. Among the most popular places in the “low” risk category this week are Egypt and Tanzania.

Unknown

Finally, there are destinations that the CDC has deemed to have “unknown” risks due to a lack of information. Usually, but not always, these are small, remote places or places with constant wars or turmoil.

Only one destination added this week: Malawi.

The CDC advises against traveling to these places specifically because the risks are unknown. Other destinations in this category that usually attract more tourist interest include the Azores, Hungary, and the Maldives.

There are about 65 places listed as “unknown” this week, more than a quarter of the places monitored.

Medical expert weighs in risk levels

Commuting rates are just “one guide” to travelers’ personal risk calculations, according to CNN medical analyst Dr. Leana Wen.

We have moved to “a stage in the pandemic where people need to make their own decisions based on their medical conditions as well as their own risk tolerance when it comes to contracting Covid-19,” said Wayne, an emergency physician and university professor. Health Policy and Management at The George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health.

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Wen said there are other factors that should be weighed in addition to transmission rates.

“Another is what precautions are required and which are followed where you are going, and the third is what you plan to do once you get there,” she said.

“Do you plan to visit a lot of attractions and go to indoor bars? This is very different from going somewhere where you plan to lie on the beach all day and not interact with anyone else. This is completely different. These are very different levels of risk.”

Wen said vaccination is the most important safety factor for travel, as unvaccinated travelers are more likely to get sick and pass Covid-19 to others.

It’s also important to think about what you’ll do if you end up testing positive away from home.

While travelers are heading to the United States It is no longer necessary to present Covid-19 negative Testing for repatriation from international destinations, the CDC still advises that you get tested before boarding flights to the United States and not travel if you are sick.
“Of course, if people develop symptoms or are exposed while traveling, they should get tested, and if they test positive, it should be followed.” CDC Isolation GuidelinesWen told CNN Travel recently.
If you are concerned about a travel health condition not related to Covid-19, Check here.

Top of the photo: Al-Khazneh Temple in the ancient city of Petra in Jordan. (Ali Baliksi/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)

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