(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 stage, 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 “reasonable” 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 awareness.
Greater than half of the locations monitored by the CDC are nonetheless listed within the Stage 3, “excessive” danger class..
The designation applies to locations which have had greater than 100 instances per 100,000 residents prior to now 28 days.
Locations carrying the “Stage 2: Covid-19 Reasonable” designation reported 50 to 100 Covid-19 instances per 100,000 residents prior to now 28 days.
To be listed as “Stage 1: Covid-19 Low,” a vacation spot should have had 49 or fewer new instances per 100,000 residents over the previous 28 days.
Stage 4, beforehand the best danger class, is now reserved just for particular circumstances, akin 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. Beneath the brand new system, no locations have been positioned at Stage 4 to date.
A medical knowledgeable weighs in on danger ranges
We’re in “a section within the pandemic the place individuals have to make their very own choices based mostly on their medical circumstances in addition to their danger tolerance in the case of contracting Covid-19,” in keeping with CNN Medical Analyst Dr. Leana Wen.
Vaccination is essentially the most important 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 College of Public Well being.
“Most people who find themselves up-to-date on their vaccines are extremely shielded from changing into severely ailing,” she stated.
Take into account what you’ll do if you find yourself testing constructive away from dwelling, Wen suggested.
“Do you could have entry to remedies akin to antiviral capsules or monoclonal antibodies? Ask your physician prematurely of your journey whether or not you’re eligible, then know the place to search out these remedies when touring overseas,” she stated.
Wen additionally advises packing further coronavirus checks and bringing them with you in your journey.
High picture: Lionesses with cubs stroll collectively close to sundown on the Masai Mara in Kenya. (Vicki Jauron/Babylon and Past/Second RF/Getty Pictures)