CDC advises travelers to avoid The Bahamas

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has advised travelers to avoid all travel to The Bahamas.

The CDC moved The Bahamas from a level three health notice to a more serious level four a little over three months after the health notice was lowered.

In its notice, the CDC said COVID-19 levels in The Bahamas are “very high”.

“Because of the current situation in The Bahamas even fully vaccinated travelers may be at risk for getting and spreading COVID-19 variants and should avoid all travel to The Bahamas,” the notice reads.

“If you must travel to The Bahamas, get fully vaccinated before travel. All travelers should wear a mask, stay six feet from others, avoid crowds, and wash their hands.”

This comes as COVID-19 cases continue to increase. The Ministry of Health reported 55 new cases of COVID-19 yesterday, adding to the 565 cases recorded this month.

In January, the country confirmed 336 new cases. Another 335 cases were reported in February.

Cases nearly doubled in March with 613 cases. Total confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country now stand at 9,791. Of them, 468 are active.

Dr. Nikkiah Forbes, director of the National HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Programme, told The Nassau Guardian yesterday that The Bahamas is in the midst of a third wave of COVID-19 infections and expressed her concern over a recent surge in cases.

“The numbers are very concerning,” Forbes said.

“We’ve had a sustained increase in the number of cases week upon week. And we’re in a third wave of COVID-19. Hospitalizations are also increasing.”

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source https://thenassauguardian.com/cdc-advises-travelers-to-avoid-the-bahamas/