(CNN) — For the second week in a row, no destinations have been added to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s “high” travel risk category. A few destinations have dropped a level of risk, including Kenya, which is now in the “low” risk category.
Kenya was previously listed at level 2, along with the West African nation of Togo, which also moved into the level 1, or “low” risk category, of the CDC’s regularly updated travel reports.
The British Overseas Territory of Montserrat in the Caribbean dropped from Level 3 to Level 2, or “moderate” risk for Covid-19.
One nation, East Timor in Southeast Asia, moved up a notch to level 2.
And one destination, Dutch Sint Maarten in the Caribbean fell into the “unknown” category of level 3. Destinations go to that category if there is a lack of information.
More than half of the destinations monitored by the CDC are still in the Level 3, “high” risk category.
The designation applies to places where there have been more than 100 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in the past 28 days.
Destinations labeled “Level 2: Covid-19 Moderate” reported 50 to 100 Covid-19 cases per 100,000 population in the past 28 days.
To be listed as “Level 1: Covid-19 Low”, a destination must have had 49 or fewer new cases per 100,000 inhabitants in the past 28 days.
Level 4, previously the highest risk category, is now reserved only for special circumstances, such as extremely high numbers of cases, the emergence of a new care variant or the collapse of the care infrastructure. The CDC does not recommend traveling to these destinations. No destinations have been placed at level 4 so far under the new system.
A medical expert weighs in on risk levels
A medical expert weighs in on risk levels
The CDC advises travelers to inform themselves about Covid-19 vaccines before traveling internationally. On the same subject : Europe Travel Restrictions, Covid-19 Testing Requirements, by Country, for July. Being “up to date” means that you have not only had the full initial vaccinations, but also any boosters you qualify for.
We are in “a phase in the pandemic where people must make their own decisions based on their medical conditions and their risk tolerance when it comes to contracting Covid-19,” said CNN Medical Analyst Dr. Leana Wen.
Vaccination is the most important safety factor for travel, said Wen, an emergency physician and professor of health policy and management at the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health.
“Most people who are up to date on their vaccines are well protected against becoming seriously ill,” she said.
Think about what you would do if you tested positive outdoors, Wen advised.
“Do you have access to treatments such as antiviral pills or monoclonal antibodies? Ask your doctor about your eligibility prior to travel so you will know where to find these treatments if you travel abroad,” she said.
We also recommend packing extra coronavirus tests and taking them with you when you travel.
While travelers to the US no longer need to submit a negative Covid-19 test to get home from international destinations, the CDC still recommends testing before boarding flights back to the United States and not traveling if you’re sick. are.
“Of course, if people have symptoms or exposure while traveling, they should be tested and if they test positive, follow CDC’s isolation guidelines,” Wen told CNN Travel.
If you’re concerned about a travel-specific health situation unrelated to Covid-19, check here.
Top image: Lionesses with cubs walk together at sunset in Kenya’s Masai Mara. (Vicki Jauron/Babylon onward/Moment RF/Getty Images)
How could smoking affect COVID-19?
COVID-19 is an infectious disease that mainly affects the lungs. On the same subject : Americans’ top post-pandemic travel priorities. Smoking damages lung function, making it harder for the body to fight off coronaviruses and other diseases.
Does smoking increase the risk of severe COVID-19? Any form of smoking is harmful to body systems, including the cardiovascular system and the respiratory system. COVID-19 can also harm these systems. Evidence from China, where COVID-19 originated, shows that people with cardiovascular and respiratory disease caused by tobacco use, or otherwise, are at higher risk of developing severe COVID-19 symptoms.
Does smoking cigarettes and vaping increase your risk of severe illness from COVID-19?
Cigarette smoking and vaping are linked to pneumonia and impaired immune function. To see also : What are the implications of prolonged COVID for employment and health coverage?. Both may increase the risk of a more severe reaction when exposed to COVID-19.
Am I at risk for serious complications from COVID-19 if I smoke cigarettes?
Yes. Data shows that compared to never smokers, cigarette smoking increases the risk of more serious illness from COVID-19, which can lead to hospitalization, the need for intensive care or even death.
What is the risk of contracting COVID-19 while exercising?
There is a potential risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection during exercise and this applies to athletes and coaches alike. This is especially a problem in environments where athletes train in groups, play contact sports, share equipment or use common areas, including locker rooms. Transmission can occur through direct contact with an infected person, indirect exposure to the virus through a contaminated object, or through aerosols/droplets from an infected person. important to stay active during the COVID-19 pandemic, respecting physical distancing and personal hygiene recommendations. People should not exercise if they have symptoms of COVID-19, such as a cough, fever or breathing difficulties.
What precautions should we take at the gym during the COVID-19 pandemic? To protect yourself from contracting COVID while in the gym, the World Health Organization and the CDC recommend following these tips: Don’t go to the gym when you’re sick. Limit indoor group classes, especially high-intensity classes such as cycling, Zumba, and other high-intensity programs.
Does physical activity reduce the risk of COVID-19?
Specific findings from a CDC systematic review showed that physical activity is associated with a decrease in COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths, while inactivity increases that risk.
How many days after COVID-19 symptoms are you contagious?
Those who become infected with mild to moderate COVID-19 are unlikely to remain contagious for more than 10 days after the onset of symptoms. Individuals with severe to critical illness from COVID infection are unlikely to be contagious 20 days after symptoms first started.
Are you safe to go to the gym during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Being fully vaccinated means you’re better protected against COVID-19 – giving some flexibility as to what you can safely do again. However, you can also make the personal decision to remain cautious by continuing to exercise at home or outdoors.
Where did COVID-19 origin?
The first known infections of SARS-CoV-2 were discovered in Wuhan, China.[17] The original source of viral transmission to humans remains unclear, as does whether the virus became pathogenic before or after the spillover event.[19][75][9] Since many of the early infected individuals were workers at the Huanan Seafood Market, [76][77] it has been suggested that the virus may have originated from the market.[9][78] However, other research suggests that visitors may have marketed the virus, which then allowed for a rapid expansion of the infections.
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