US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention earlier warned US citizens to not travel to India. Unlike other do not travel advisories, the agency mentioned that “even fully vaccinated travelers may be at risk of getting and spreading COVID19 variants”. So what if someone needs to go to India? The CDC suggests travelers to complete their vaccination, wear a mask, maintain social distancing, avoid crowds, and wash their hands.
Recently, the Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs raised a level 4 travel advisory on the country. With the worst travel advisory, the department wants Americans to leave India. In its tweet “US citizens wishing to depart should use available commercial options now”. US citizens looking to leave the US should take flights via Paris and Frankfurt.
Limited Medical Care in India
The US embassy in New Delhi announced that “Access to all types of medical care is becoming severely limited in India due to the surge in COVID-19 cases”.
The US embassy also urged US citizens to enroll in STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Programme) at step.state.gov. This will give pertinent information about health and safety in India.
India surpassed the 18 million mark while their grave diggers are working extra to bury and cremate victims. Hospitals facilities, on the other hand, are having a hard time admitting patients as they reach full capacity. Hospitals have reported a shortage in supplies, oxygen, and bed for both COVID and non-COVID cases.
WHO chief scientist Soumya Swaminathan commented that the cases are underreported in India. The reason for this observation is the high positivity rate in the country. The average is at around 15% while some cities can go high up to 30% or higher. She said that “as far as deaths are concerned, yes, it’s possible there are also under counting of deaths”.
The United Kingdom also included the country in its “red list”. Australia also banned all flights from India after an increase in the number of infections.