CDC adds 3 areas to ‘high’ risk list for Covid-19

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(CNN) — The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Monday added three destinations to the “high” travel risk category, including an Eastern European country known for its mountains, dense forests and traditional culture.

Romania is a travel destination that received a few general changes to its risk assessment in a week to earn a Level 3, “Covid-19 High” designation.

The other two were Romania’s small winemaking neighbor, Moldova, and the sparsely populated French islands of Saint Pierre and Miquelon off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada.

As of August 1, there were about 125 destinations in Tier 3. Tier 3 locations account for more than half of the 235 sites under CDC control.

Level 3 became the highest level of risk in April after completing a rating system to assess exposure to Covid-19 in April.

The designation applies to areas with more than 100 cases per 100,000 residents in the past 28 days. Level 2 and Level 1 are considered “medium” and “low” risk, respectively.

To summarize, these Three destinations received “high” risk designations on Monday:

• Moldova
• Romania
• St. Pierre and Miquelon

Level 4, formerly a high-risk category, is now reserved for exceptional circumstances, such as extreme cases, a new strain of stress, or a breakdown in healthcare infrastructure. Under the new system, no destinations have yet been placed at Level 4.

More on step 3

Much of Europe has been stuck for months as the summer travel season moves into the normally busy August. Among those remaining in Tier 3 as of August 1 are the following popular European destinations:

• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Ireland
• Italy
• Netherlands
• Norway
• Portugal
• Spain
• united kingdom

In summer, a panoramic view of Rio de Janeiro with Sugarloaf and Guanabara Bay can be seen from Marante Dona Marta. Brazil is still at risk level 3 for Covid-19.

Grafissimo / E + / Getty Images

Those aren’t the only high-profile spots that find themselves at Level 3. Several other destinations around the world are among those in the “high” risk category.

• Brazil
• Canada
• Costa Rica
• Malaysia
• Mexico
• South Korea
• Thailand
• Turkey

The CDC recommends that you be up to date with your Covid-19 vaccinations before traveling to a Tier 3 destination. Being “up-to-date” means you’ve gotten the boosters you’re eligible for, not just the full primary immunizations.

Step 2

Agung Volcano seen at sunset in Bali. Indonesia moved up to rank 2 this week.

Matteo Colombo / Digital Vision / Getty Images

Destinations labeled “Level 2: Moderate Covid-19” have reported 50 to 100 cases of Covid-19 per 100,000 residents in the past 28 days. The CDC designated two new Tier 2 sites on Monday:

• Indonesia
• Nepal

The move was a misstep for both the Asian countries who were in Tier 1. There are fewer than 20 locations in the “moderate” risk category this week.

In its extensive travel guidance, the CDC recommends being up-to-date with your vaccinations before traveling internationally.

Step 1

To be listed as “Level 1: Low Covid-19”, a destination must have 49 or fewer new cases per 100,000 residents in the past 28 days. As of August 1, no new locations have been added to the category.

There are about 30 locations in the “low” risk category this week. Some of the more popular destinations in the “low” risk category this week include Egypt and Tanzania.

Unknown

Finally, there are destinations that the CDC has deemed to have “unknown” risk due to a lack of data. Usually, but not always, these are small, remote areas or areas of ongoing war or unrest.

Popular in Southeast Asia tourism Vietnam It was the only destination added this week. Previously it was at level 3.

The CDC advises against traveling to these areas because the risks are unknown. Other destinations in this category that typically attract tourist attention include the Azores, Hungary and the Maldives.

About 65 locations were listed as “unknown” this week, including more than a quarter of the monitored locations.

A medical professional weighs in on the risk levels

CNN medical analyst Dr. Leanna Wen said transfer pricing is only “a guideline” for travelers’ personal risk calculations.

“We’ve entered the stage of the epidemic where people have to make their own decisions based on their medical conditions and their exposure to contracting Covid-19,” said Wen, an emergency physician and professor. in Health Policy and Management at the George Washington University Milk Institute School of Public Health.

According to Wen, there are other factors to consider besides distribution size.

“The other thing is to be careful and follow where you’re going and then the third is what you plan to do if you’re there,” she said.

“Are you planning to visit a lot of attractions and go to local bars? That’s very different from going somewhere where you plan to lie on the beach all day and not interact with anyone. That’s very different. Very different levels of risk.”

Vaccination is the most important safety issue for travel, Wen said, because unvaccinated travelers are more likely to get sick and spread Covid-19 to others.

And it’s important to consider what to do if you test positive away from home.

While travelers to the U.S. do not have to present a negative COVID-19 test to return home from international destinations, the CDC still recommends testing before boarding flights to the U.S. and traveling if you are sick.

“Obviously, people should get tested if they have symptoms or exposure while traveling, and if they test positive, they should follow the CDC’s isolation guidelines,” Wen recently told CNN Travel.

If you’re concerned about a travel-related health condition unrelated to Covid-19, check here.

Top Image: The historic city center of Orada in Transylvania, Romania. (Alexander Spatari/Moment RF/Getty Images)

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