(CNN) — The CDC added three new destinations to its Covid-19 “high” risk list on Monday. Among them are the Asian island nations of the Pacific, beloved by tourists for their stunning beaches.
The Philippines, a country of 7,000 tropical islands that are famous for their stunning seascapes, delicious food and hospitable people, is in the “high” risk group, also known as level 3, after Russia and climbers’ favorite Nepal. join.
Level 3 locations currently occupy approximately 130 of the approximately 235 locations. It is monitored by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and is more than half of the total list.
This designation applies to locations with more than 100 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in the past 28 days. Levels 2 and 1 are considered ‘medium’ and ‘low’ risk respectively.
In summary, the following three destinations were added to Level 3 on August 15th:
• Nepal
• Philippines
• Russia
Level 4 used to be the highest risk category, but is now reserved only for special circumstances such as very high case numbers, emergence of new variants of concern, or collapse of healthcare infrastructure. . In the new system, no destinations have ever been placed on level 4.
Level 3 details
Much of Europe remains stubbornly at level 3 for months as the summer travel season plunges into the traditionally busy month of August. I was still at level 3.
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Ireland
• Italy
• Netherlands
• Norway
• Portugal
• Spain
• England
The ruins of Tulum, Mexico overlook the Mexican Caribbean Sea, still on level 3.
Jesse Craft/Adobe Stock
These aren’t the only high-profile locations that qualify for Level 3. Many other destinations around the world fall into the “high” risk category, including:
• Brazil
• Canada
• Costa Rica
• Malaysia
• Mexico
• Korea
• Thailand
• turkey
level 2
This is the lush Principe Island, part of Sao Tome and Principe. The island nation, located in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Gabon in Africa, moved to Level 2 this week.
Anna/Adobe Stock
Destinations designated as ‘Level 2: Moderate Covid-19’ reported between 50 and 100 Covid-19 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in the past 28 days.
The CDC has designated only one new Level 2 location for Monday. sao tome and principe, a beautiful group of small islands off the coast of West Africa, off the radar of most tourists. Moved up from level 1.
Only 18 locations are listed at Level 2 this week. Places visited by more visitors in this category include India, Kenya, and South Africa.
level 1
To be listed as “Level 1: Covid-19 Low”, a destination must have had no more than 49 new cases per 100,000 residents in the last 28 days. There are no new locations added to the category on August 15th.
Nearly 25 locations fell into the “low” risk category this week. This week, the more popular destinations for global travelers in the ‘low’ risk category included Cuba, Egypt and Tanzania.
do not know
Finally, there are destinations that the CDC deemed at “unknown” risk due to lack of information. Usually, but not always, these are small, remote places, or places where war or unrest is going on.
Two new destinations have been added this week.
• Comoros
• Guinea-Bissau
Both African countries were previously Level 1.
CDC recommends avoiding travel to these locations simply because the risks are unknown. Other destinations in this category that typically attract more tourist attention are Hungary and Vietnam.
Over 65 locations were listed as “unknown” this week, accounting for more than a quarter of all monitored locations.
Health professionals discuss risk levels
According to CNN medical analyst Dr. Leana Wen, the infection rate is just “one guideline” for calculating a traveler’s personal risk.
We have moved into a “pandemic phase where people need to make their own decisions based on their medical status and risk tolerance when it comes to contracting COVID-19,” said the emergency physician and professor. Wen said, PhD in Health Policy and Management from the Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University.
According to Wen, there are other factors to consider besides transmission speed.
“The other is the precautions required where you’re going, and the third is what you plan to do once you get there,” she said.
“Are you planning to visit a lot of attractions and go to an indoor bar? That’s a lot different than going to a place where you plan on lying on the beach all day and not interacting with anyone else. It’s very different.” It’s a very different level 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 consider what to do if you test positive while on the go.
Above image: Hidden beach in Matinloc Island, El Nido, Palawan, Philippines. (Simon Dannhauer/Adobe Stock)
Source: www.cnn.com
