CDC adds new country to ‘high’ risk category for travel, but leaves Morocco out.

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(CNN) — The CDC on Monday added one new destination to its “high” risk list for Covid-19.

Azerbaijan, which borders the Caspian Sea between Iran and Russia, was moved to a level 3 or “high” threat.

Now the slots in Tier 3 cover more than 125 out of 235 slots. Monitored by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – more than half of all listings.

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, only one destination was added to Level 3 on August 29.

• Azerbaijan

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 of healthcare infrastructure. CDC advises against travel to these destinations. Under the new system, no destinations have yet been placed at Level 4.

The Caribbean island of Saba moved to Level 2 on Monday.

¡zenzen!/Adobe stock

Step 2

Destinations labeled “Level 2: Moderate Covid-19” have reported between 50 and 100 cases of Covid-19 per 100,000 residents in the past 28 days.

CDC appointed Monday Two new Level 2 locations:

• Morocco
• Saba

The North African country of Morocco was previously listed at Level 3. The Caribbean island of Saba was previously at Level 1.

There are 20 places listed in Level 2 this week. Among the most visited places in this category are India, Kenya and South Africa.

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.

August 29 No new positions added to category.

About 20 locations were in the “low” risk category this week. Some of the most popular destinations for world travelers in the “low” risk category this week include Tanzania and Egypt.

Unknown

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

No new destinations added this week.

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

About 70 locations were listed as “unknown” this week.

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 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.

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 ill.

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

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

Top image: Baku City, Azerbaijan (Boris Stroujko/Adobe Stock)

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