(CNN) – The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its travel advice page for Covid-19 on Tuesday. Only two new locations, both in Africa, joined the crowded “high” risk category.
But perhaps more notable this week is the news that two destinations in stubbornly high Europe were downgraded to “moderate” risk.
The Scandinavian cultural powerhouse in Sweden and the heavily forested and historic Romania in Eastern Europe provide two bright spots on a continent that has been stuck in the “high” risk category.
Level 3 “high” risk category is now the top step in terms of risk level. Level 2 is considered a “moderate” risk. Level 1 is “low” risk.
Level 4, formerly the highest risk category, is now reserved only for special circumstances, such as extremely high case numbers, the emergence of a new variant of concern or the collapse of healthcare infrastructure. Under the new system, no level 4 destinations have been located so far.
A herd of elephants has been seen in eastern Botswana. The South African nation is now at level 3.
The category “Level 3: Covid-19 high” now applies to places that have had more than 100 cases per. 100,000 inhabitants in the last 28 days. The two destinations joining Level 3 this week are:
Botswana, a land-based safari favorite, moved all the way up from level 1, while Cape Verde, off the west coast of Africa in the North Atlantic, moved up from level 2.
There were more than 110 level 3 destinations on June 21st. Level 3 sites account for almost half of the approximately 235 sites monitored by the CDC.
More on Level 3
The Eiffel Tower basks in a romantic Paris twilight. See the article : New pediatric mental health services are now available to primary care providers throughout the state. France is still at level 3 of the CDC.
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Despite the good news about Sweden and Romania, large parts of Europe have been stubbornly staying there for months with the summer travel season starting. As of June 21, the following popular European destinations were among those remaining at Level 3:
• France • Germany • Greece • Ireland • Italy • Netherlands • Norway • Spain • Great Britain
But it’s not just European favorites that are at level 3. Numerous notable travel destinations around the world are among those in the ‘high’ risk category, including the following:
• Brazil • Canada • Costa Rica • Malaysia • Mexico • South Korea • Thailand
The CDC recommends that you be updated with your Covid-19 vaccines before traveling to a Level 3 destination. Being “up to date” means that you have not only received the full initial vaccinations, but all the boosters to which you are entitled.
Level 2
Biertan is one of the most important Saxon villages with fortified churches in Transylvania, Romania. To see also : Does Summer of Revenge Travel Here? Hope Businesses So.. The Eastern European nation is now at level 2.
Andrea Ricordi / Moment RF / Getty Images
Destinations labeled “Level 2: Covid-19 Moderate” reported 50 to 100 Covid-19 cases per day. 100,000 inhabitants within the last 28 days. A total of six places were moved to this level on Tuesday:
• Bolivia • Ethiopia • Kenya • Morocco • Romania • Sweden
Unlike the two European nations, the transition to level 2 was actually not good news for Bolivia, Kenya and Morocco, which had been at level 1. (Ethiopia did not appear in last week’s roundup).
In its broader travel guide, the CDC has recommended avoiding all international travel until you are fully vaccinated.
Level 1
To be on “Level 1: Covid-19 Low”, a destination must have had 49 or fewer new cases per. 100,000 inhabitants in the last 28 days. To see also : Science coverage of climate change could change minds – briefly. Six destinations around the world were added to the category on June 21:
• El Salvador • Fiji • Guinea • Moldova • Saint Eustatius • Tanzania
The move was especially good news for the Caribbean’s small Dutch island of Sint Eustatius, which had been at level 3.
Last week, El Salvador, Fiji and Moldova had been at level 2, while Africa’s Guinea and Tanzania were “unknown”.
Unknown
Finally, there are the destinations that the CDC has considered to be of “unknown” risk due to lack of information. Usually, but not always, it is small, remote places or places of ongoing warfare or unrest. This week, four places were added to this category:
• Bhutan • Comoros • Democratic Republic of Congo • Ghana
The CDC advises against traveling to these places precisely because the risks are unknown. Other destinations in this category include Cambodia, the Canary Islands and Macau.
A medical expert weighs in on the level of risk
A medical expert weighs in on risk levels
Transmission speeds are only “one guide post” for travelers’ personal risk calculations, according to CNN Medical Analyst Dr. Leana Wen.
We have entered “a phase of the pandemic where people have to make their own decisions based on their medical conditions as well as their risk tolerance when it comes to incurring Covid-19,” said Wen, an emergency physician and professor of health policy and management at the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health.
There are other factors to consider in addition to transmission speeds, according to Wen.
“Another is what precautions are required and followed at the place you are going, and then the third is what you plan to do once you are there,” she said.
“Do you plan on visiting a lot of attractions and going to indoor bars? It’s very different than going to a place where you plan to lie on the beach all day and not interact with anyone else. It’s very different. It is very different levels of risk. “
Vaccination is the most important travel safety factor, as unvaccinated travelers are more likely to get sick and transmit Covid-19 to others, Wen said.
And it’s also important to consider what you would do if you ended up testing positive away from home.
While U.S.-bound travelers no longer have to show a negative Covid-19 test to get home, the CDC still recommends testing before boarding flights back to the states and not traveling if you are ill.
“Of course, if people have symptoms or exposure while traveling, they need to be tested, and if they test positive, to follow the CDC’s isolation guidelines,” Wen told CNN Travel recently.
If you are concerned about a travel-specific health situation that is not related to Covid-19, check here.
Top image: Twilight over Riddarholmen Church in Stockholm, Sweden. (K’Nub / Moment RF / Getty Images)
The most commonly reported events with COVID-19 vaccines are expected vaccine adverse reactions such as headache, fatigue, muscle and joint pain, fever and chills and injection site pain. The incidence of these adverse events is consistent with what is already known about the vaccines from clinical trials.
What are the long lasting fruits and vegetables I should buy for COVID-19 quarantine?
WHO recommends consuming a minimum of 400 g (ie 5 servings) of fruits and vegetables a day. Citrus fruits like oranges, clementines and grapefruits are great options, as well as bananas and apples, which can also be cut into smaller pieces and frozen for later consumption or to add to smoothies. Root vegetables such as carrots, turnips and beets, as well as vegetables such as cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower are relatively indestructible. Garlic, ginger and onions are also good options to keep at home as they can be used to add flavor to a variety of meals.
Are canned vegetables good alternatives to eating under COVID-19 quarantine? Although fresh or frozen vegetables are usually the preferred option, canned vegetables such as mushrooms, spinach, peas, tomatoes and green beans are good alternatives with longer shelf life, to ensure an adequate intake of vegetables. Remember to choose, whenever possible, options with low or no added salt.
What are the best foods to eat during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Eat fruits, vegetables, legumes (lentils, beans, etc.), nuts and whole grains (such as oats, wheat, brown rice, potatoes and yams) and foods from animal sources (such as meat, fish, eggs and milk).
What foods to stock up on during the COVID-19 pandemic?
â € ¢ Healthy cooking oils, e.g. rapeseed or olive oil.â € ¢ Balsamic vinegar, to taste.â € ¢ Eggs. They last longer than many refrigerated foods.â € ¢ Milk. Consider durable milk or non-milk milk.â € ¢ Family packs of lean meats, fish and chicken. Divide these into smaller portions and freeze until needed.
What can I do to cope with the effects of COVID-19 quarantine?
Sedentary behavior and low level of physical activity can have negative effects on the individual’s health, well-being and quality of life. Self-quarantine can also cause additional stress and challenge citizens’ mental health. Physical activity and relaxation techniques can be valuable tools to help you stay calm and continue to protect your health during this time. The WHO recommends 150 minutes of moderate intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous physical activity per week or a combination of both.
How can one remain physically active during COVID-19 self-quarantine? Go. Even in small spaces, walking around or walking on the spot can help you stay active. If you have a call, stand or walk around your home while talking, instead of sitting down.
What are the psychological effects on people who are at risk for a severe course of the coronavirus disease?
With regard to older people and also those with underlying health conditions, it can be extremely frightening and very frightening to have been identified as more vulnerable to COVID-19, and to be told that you are very vulnerable. The psychological influences for these population groups may include anxiety and feeling of stress or anger. Its effects can be particularly difficult for older people who may be experiencing cognitive decline or dementia. And some older people may already be socially isolated and experiencing loneliness, which can worsen mental health.
Can people in quarantine eat fried foods?
The WHO recommends limiting total fat intake to less than 30% of total energy intake, of which a maximum of 10% should come from saturated fat. To achieve this, choose cooking methods that require less or no fat, such as steaming, grilling or sautéing instead of frying food. If necessary, use small amounts of unsaturated oils such as rapeseed, olive or sunflower oil to cook. Prefer foods that contain healthy sources of unsaturated fats, such as fish and nuts.
Why are COVID-19 cases rising again?
There are a number of factors that contribute to cases rising and falling – climate, behavior and mitigating efforts (or lack thereof) among them. Researchers are trying to keep an eye on what the recent rise in cases says about the durability of protection and the ongoing development of the virus.
How long does COVID-19 rebound last? So far, there have been no reports of serious illness in those who have experienced covid-rebound, and most people seem to recover and stop testing positive about three days later without needing additional covid-19- treatment.
How common is Paxlovid rebound of COVID-19?
Currently, this type of rebounding seems to be rare. In Pfizer’s clinical trials, 1 to 2 percent of people treated with the antiviral drug had a positive COVID-19 test – or an increase in the amount of virus detected – after stopping treatment.
How long can you test positive for COVID-19?
> People who have recovered from COVID-19 can continue to test positive for up to 3 months after their infection.
