CDC: The Philippines is now at ‘high’ travel risk for Covid

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(CNN) — The CDC on Monday added three new destinations to its “high” risk list for Covid-19, including an Asian island nation in the Pacific Ocean popular for its stunning beaches.

The Philippines, a country of 7,000 tropical islands known for its stunning ocean views, delicious food and hospitable people, joins Russia and mountaineer favorite Nepal in the “High” group, also known as Level 3.

Now the places in level 3 occupy about 130 out of 235 places 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, these three destinations were added to Level 3 on August 15.

• Nepal
• Philippines
• Russia

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

More on step 3

Much of Europe has been on lockdown for months. Among those remaining in Tier 3 as of August 15 are the following popular European destinations:

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

The ruins of Tulum Mexico overlook the Caribbean Sea in Mexico, still in Level 3.

Jesse Craft/Adobe Collection

Those aren’t the only high-profile positions 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

This is the lush island of Principe, part of Sao Tome and Principe. This island, located in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Gabon in Africa, was moved to Level 2 this week.

Ana / Adobe stock

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 on Monday designated one new Level 2 site: Sao Tome and Principe, a beautiful little island group off the coast of West Africa and off most tourists’ radars. Raised from level 1.

There are only 18 spots listed in Level 2 this week. Among the most visited places in this category are India, Kenya and South Africa.

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. No new positions added on August 15th.

About 25 locations were in the “low” risk category this week. Cuba, Egypt and Tanzania are some of the most popular destinations for travelers around the world in the “low” risk category this week.

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.

Two new destinations have been added this week:

• Comoros
• Guinea-Bissau

Both African countries were previously in Tier 1.

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.

More than 65 sites were listed as “unknown” this week, more than a quarter of the sites monitored.

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 reached a point in the epidemic where people are making 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 Milken 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 indoor bars? That’s very different from going to a place where you plan to lie on the beach all day and not interact with anyone. That’s very different. Those are. Very different levels of risk.”

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

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

While travelers from 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 before traveling if you are ill.

“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 are concerned about a travel-related health condition unrelated to Covid-19, check here.

Top image: A hidden beach in Matinloc Island, Palawan, Philippines. (Simon Dannhauer/Adobe Stock)

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