Marnie Hunter and Forrest Brown, CNN
For the second consecutive week, no locations had been added to the US Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention’s “excessive” danger class for journey. A number of locations moved down a danger degree, together with Kenya, which is now within the “low” danger class.
Kenya was beforehand listed at Stage 2, together with the West African nation of Togo, which additionally moved right down to the Stage 1, or “low” danger, class of the CDC’s usually up to date journey notices.
The British Abroad Territory of Montserrat within the Caribbean dropped into Stage 2, or “average” danger for Covid-19, from Stage 3.
One nation, Timor-Leste in southeast Asia, moved up one rung to Stage 2.
And one vacation spot, Dutch Sint Maarten within the Caribbean dropped into the “unknown” class from Stage 3. Locations transfer to that class when there’s a lack of knowledge.
Greater than half of the locations monitored by the CDC are nonetheless listed within the Stage 3, “excessive” danger class..
Stage 3 grew to become the highest rung by way of danger degree in April after the CDC overhauled its scores system for assessing Covid-19 danger for vacationers.
The designation applies to locations which have had greater than 100 circumstances per 100,000 residents up to now 28 days.
Locations carrying the “Stage 2: Covid-19 Reasonable” designation reported 50 to 100 Covid-19 circumstances per 100,000 residents up to now 28 days.
To be listed as “Stage 1: Covid-19 Low,” a vacation spot should have had 49 or fewer new circumstances per 100,000 residents over the previous 28 days.
Stage 4, beforehand the very best danger class, is now reserved just for particular circumstances, equivalent to extraordinarily excessive case counts, emergence of a brand new variant of concern or well being care infrastructure collapse. The CDC advises in opposition to touring to those locations. Underneath the brand new system, no locations have been positioned at Stage 4 to date.
You’ll be able to view the CDC’s danger ranges for any international vacation spot on the company’s journey suggestions web page.
A medical professional weighs in on danger ranges
The CDC advises vacationers to rise up up to now with Covid-19 vaccines earlier than touring internationally. Being “updated” means you have got had not solely the complete preliminary vaccinations however any boosters for which you’re eligible.
We’re in “a part within the pandemic the place folks have to make their very own choices based mostly on their medical circumstances in addition to their danger tolerance in relation to contracting Covid-19,” in accordance with CNN Medical Analyst Dr. Leana Wen.
Vaccination is probably the most vital security issue for journey, stated Wen, who’s an emergency doctor and professor of well being coverage and administration on the George Washington College Milken Institute Faculty of Public Well being.
“Most people who find themselves up-to-date on their vaccines are extremely shielded from turning into severely ailing,” she stated.
Think about what you’d do if you find yourself testing optimistic away from residence, Wen suggested.
“Do you have got entry to therapies equivalent to antiviral tablets or monoclonal antibodies? Ask your physician prematurely of your journey whether or not you’re eligible, then know the place to seek out these therapies when touring overseas,” she stated.
Wen additionally advises packing additional coronavirus assessments and bringing them with you in your journey.
Whereas US-bound vacationers now not should current a damaging Covid-19 check to get residence from worldwide locations, the CDC nonetheless advises testing earlier than boarding flights again to the States and never touring in case you are sick.
“In fact, if folks have signs or publicity whereas touring, they should get examined, and in the event that they check optimistic, to observe CDC’s isolation tips,” Wen advised CNN Journey.
In the event you’re involved a couple of travel-specific well being state of affairs not associated to Covid-19, test right here.
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High picture: Lionesses with cubs stroll collectively close to sundown on the Masai Mara in Kenya. (Vicki Jauron/Babylon and Past/Second RF/Getty Photographs)