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(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 all the way down to the Stage 1, or “low” danger, class of the CDC’s recurrently 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 understanding.
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 circumstances per 100,000 residents prior to now 28 days.
Locations carrying the “Stage 2: Covid-19 Reasonable” designation reported 50 to 100 Covid-19 circumstances 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 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, comparable to extraordinarily excessive case counts, emergence of a brand new variant of concern or well being care infrastructure collapse. The CDC advises towards touring to those locations. Below the brand new system, no locations have been positioned at Stage 4 up to now.
A medical knowledgeable weighs in on danger ranges
The CDC advises vacationers to rise up thus far with Covid-19 vaccines earlier than touring internationally. Being “updated” means you haven’t solely the complete preliminary vaccinations however any boosters for which you are eligible.
We’re in “a part within the pandemic the place folks must make their very own selections primarily based on their medical circumstances in addition to their danger tolerance on the subject of contracting Covid-19,” based on CNN Medical Analyst Dr. Leana Wen.
Vaccination is probably the most important security issue for journey, mentioned 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 mentioned.
Think about what you’ll do if you find yourself testing optimistic away from dwelling, Wen suggested.
“Do you may have entry to remedies comparable 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 remedies when touring overseas,” she mentioned.
Wen additionally advises packing additional coronavirus exams and bringing them with you in your journey.
Whereas US-bound vacationers not must current a destructive Covid-19 check to get dwelling from worldwide locations, the CDC nonetheless advises testing earlier than boarding flights again to the States and never touring in case you are sick.
“After all, if folks have signs or publicity whereas touring, they should get examined, and in the event that they check optimistic, to observe the CDC’s isolation pointers,” Wen advised CNN Journey.
In the event you’re involved a few travel-specific well being state of affairs not associated to Covid-19, verify right here.
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)