(CNN) – The CDC on Monday added three new destinations to its “high” risk list for Covid-19, including an Asian Pacific island nation loved by tourists for its stunning beaches.
The Philippines, a country of 7,000 tropical islands with stunning seascapes, delicious food and people known for their hospitality, joins Russia and Nepal as favorite climbers in the “high” risk group, also known as Level 3.
Level 3 sites now account for nearly 130 of the roughly 235 sites overseen by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — more than half of all entries.
The designation applies to places that have had more than 100 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in the last 28 days. Level 2 and Level 1 are considered “moderate” and “low” risk, respectively.
To recap, these three objectives were added to Level 3 on August 15th:
• Nepal • the Philippines • Russia
Level 4, previously the highest risk category, is now reserved only for special circumstances such as: B. extremely high case numbers, the emergence of a new variant of concern or the collapse of the health infrastructure. No targets have been placed at level 4 under the new system.
More on Level 3
Much of Europe has been stubbornly housed at Level 3 for months, with the summer travel season now deep into a traditionally busy August. On the same subject : High Tech on the Low Episode # 58: AI Art and NFT. The following popular European destinations were among those remaining at Tier 3 as of August 15:
• France • Germany • Greece • Ireland • Italy • Netherlands • Norway • Portugal • Spain • United Kingdom
The ruins of Tulum, Mexico overlook the Caribbean Sea in Mexico, which is still at level 3.
These aren’t the only high-profile locations to be found at Tier 3. Numerous other destinations around the world are among those in the “high” risk category, including the following:
• Brazil • Canada • Costa Rica • Malaysia • Mexico • South Korea • Thailand • Turkey
The CDC advises getting up to date on your Covid-19 vaccines before traveling to a Tier 3 destination. Being ‘up to date’ means that you have not only received the full initial vaccinations, but also all the booster vaccinations that you are entitled to.
Level 2
This is the lush island of Principe, part of São Tomé and Príncipe. Located in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Gabon in Africa, this island nation has been moved to Level 2 this week.
Destinations labeled “Level 2: Covid-19 Moderate” reported 50 to 100 Covid-19 cases per 100,000 residents over the past 28 days. This may interest you : Willie Wilson advertises upcoming food and gas deals for $ 2 million.
The CDC on Monday designated just one new Level 2 location: São Tomé and Príncipe, a beautiful little archipelago off the coast of West Africa that goes unnoticed by most tourists. It went up from level 1.
There are only 18 spots listed at Tier 2 this week. Some of the most visited places in this category are India, Kenya and South Africa.
In its broader travel advice, the CDC recommends keeping up to date with your vaccines before traveling abroad.
Level 1
To be listed as Level 1: Covid-19 Low, a destination must have had 49 or fewer new cases per 100,000 people in the last 28 days. On the same subject : 10 video games harder than they seem. No new locations were added to the category on August 15th.
Nearly 25 locations were in the low risk category this week. Some of the most popular low-risk locations for world travelers this week were Cuba, Egypt and Tanzania.
Unknown
Finally, there are the targets that the CDC has classified as an “unknown” risk due to a lack of information. Usually, but not always, these are small, remote places or places with ongoing wars or civil unrest.
Two new objectives were added this week:
Both African nations had previously been at Level 1.
The CDC advises against traveling to these locations precisely because the risks are unknown. Other destinations in this category that usually attract more tourist attention are Hungary and Vietnam.
This week, more than 65 locations are listed as “unknown,” accounting for more than a quarter of all monitored locations.
A medical expert weighs the risk levels
A medical expert weighs in on risk levels
According to CNN medical analyst Dr. Leana Wen, transfer rates are just “a guide” to travelers’ personal risk calculations.
We have entered “a phase of the pandemic where people must make their own decisions based on their medical circumstances as well as their risk tolerance when it comes to contracting Covid-19,” said Wen, the emergency room doctor and professor is in health policy and management at the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health.
According to Wen, there are other factors to consider in addition to transfer rates.
“Another is what precautions are needed and followed at the place, and the third is what you want to do once you’re there,” she said.
“Planning to visit many attractions and go to indoor bars? This is very different than going somewhere where you lie on the beach all day and don’t want to interact with anyone. This is very different. Those are very different levels of risk.”
Vaccination is the most important safety factor for travel, 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 tested positive while away from home.
While travelers to the United States will no longer be required to present a negative Covid-19 test to return home from international destinations, the CDC still advises taking a test before boarding the States and not traveling if you are ill.
“Of course, if people have symptoms or exposure while traveling, they need to get tested, and if they test positive, they need to follow the CDC’s isolation guidelines,” Wen recently told CNN Travel.
If you are concerned about a travel specific health situation not related to Covid-19, check here.
Top image: Hidden Beach on Matinloc Island, El Nido, Palawan, Philippines. (Simon Dannhauer/Adobe Stock)
Can COVID-19 spread through water while swimming?
Fact: Water or swimming does not transmit the COVID-19 virusSwimming does not transmit the COVID-19 virus through water. However, the virus spreads between people when someone is in close contact with an infected person. WHAT YOU CAN DO: Avoid crowds and maintain a distance of at least 1 meter from others, even when swimming or at swimming areas. Wear a mask when you are not in the water and cannot stay away. Clean your hands frequently, cover coughs or sneezes with a tissue or bend your elbows, and stay home if you feel unwell.
Can I get COVID-19 from swimming? The COVID-19 virus is not transmitted through water when swimming. However, the virus spreads between people when someone is in close contact with an infected person. WHAT YOU CAN DO: Avoid crowds and maintain a distance of at least 1 meter from others, even when swimming or at swimming areas. Wear a mask when you’re not in the water and you can’t stay away. Clean your hands frequently, cover coughs or sneezes with a tissue or bend your elbows, and stay home if you feel unwell.
Is it safe to go to the beach during the COVID-19 pandemic?
The risks of transmitting the virus on a public beach are similar to those at a public swimming pool: the virus is transmitted by people, not water. Just as the virus doesn’t survive very well in the chlorinated water of a swimming pool, it faces the same problems on beaches.
Is the hotel’s pool safe to use amidst the COVID-19 pandemic?
Being in a swimming pool or open water is unlikely to increase your risk of contracting COVID-19 as long as you observe proper personal protective habits: washing hands frequently and appropriately after touching high-contact surfaces, covering your face when out of the water, and social distancing in and out of the water. Before entering the pool, however, inquire about the facility’s safety protocols. Does the site use advanced cleaning and limit capacity? Also, ask about the cleaning of shared equipment like bikes and beach chairs between guests. If you have additional questions, visit the CDC website for complete guidelines for travel during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Do vaccinated individuals still need to apply personal protective measures during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Vaccinated individuals should continue to follow public health measures according to national recommendations. Even vaccinated people can become infected and infect others, albeit much less frequently than unvaccinated people.
Can you transmit COVID-19 while fully vaccinated? While fully vaccinated people are less likely to transmit the coronavirus to unvaccinated people, it is still possible to spread the virus. Please get tested if you have COVID-19 symptoms, even after you have been fully vaccinated.
Do you still have to wear a mask if you get the COVID-19 vaccine?
⢠If you have a medical condition or are taking medication that weakens your immune system, you may not be fully protected, even if you are fully vaccinated. You should continue to take all precautions recommended for unvaccinated individuals, including wearing a well-fitting mask, until your doctor tells you otherwise.
Do I need to wear a mask and avoid close contact with others if I am vaccinated against COVID-19?
Generally, if you are up to date on your COVID-19 vaccinations, you do not need to wear a mask outdoors. Check out your local COVID-19 community level for recommendations on wearing a mask indoors and additional precautions you can take to protect yourself from COVID-19. If you’re immunocompromised or more likely to get very sick from COVID-19, learn more about how to protect yourself.
Do smokers suffer from worse COVID-19 symptoms?
Early research suggests that a history of smoking can significantly increase the likelihood of adverse health outcomes for COVID-19 patients, including admission to intensive care units, the need for mechanical ventilation, and serious health outcomes, compared to nonsmokers.
What does the WHO recommend for tobacco users during the COVID-19 pandemic? Given the health risks associated with tobacco use, WHO recommends quitting tobacco use. Quitting helps your lungs and heart work better from the moment you stop. Increased heart rate and drop in blood pressure within 20 minutes of stopping. After 12 hours, the level of carbon monoxide in the bloodstream falls to normal. Within 2-12 weeks, blood flow improves and lung function increases. After 1-9 months, cough and shortness of breath decrease. Quitting will help protect loved ones, especially children, from secondhand smoke. WHO recommends, among others, the use of proven interventions such as toll-free smoking cessation hotlines, mobile texting programs for smoking cessation and nicotine replacement therapy (NRTs) for smoking cessation.
How could smoking affect COVID-19?
COVID-19 is an infectious disease that primarily affects the lungs. Smoking impairs lung function and makes it harder for the body to fight off coronavirus and other diseases.
What are the organs most affected by COVID‐19?
The lungs are the organ most affected by COVID-19
