World Status Report

This report intends to give the UTD Community a snapshot of international risks, and other issues as reported by the linked official sources from the U.S. and other countries.

Please note the publication date of this report, and go to the direct sources linked for the most up-to-date information.  The information in this report may change without prior notice.

Security

In Ethiopia, thousands fleeing the conflict in the Tigray region have sought refuge in Sudan, and hundreds of thousands are internally displaced amid a dire humanitarian situation (ERCC). The 2021 World Press Freedom Index reflects a dramatic deterioration in people’s access to information around the world, with the pandemic being used as grounds to block news coverage and governments criminalizing reports critical of authorities’ response to the crisis (Reporters Without Borders). At least 10 alleged guerrillas and one soldier were killed, and 250 locals were displaced in an escalation of armed conflict in southwest Colombia (CR). Chad‘s President Idriss Deby Itno died today of injuries sustained during a fight against rebel forces, the country’s military said (AP).

Natural Disasters

Heavy rain has been affecting northern India, western Java Island in Indonesia, and southern areas of Mauritius main island, causing flash floods and landslides that have resulted in evacuations and damaged infrastructure (ERCC). Firefighters in Cape Town, South Africa on Monday were battling a wildfire that had engulfed the slopes of the city’s famed Table Mountain and destroyed parts of the University of Cape Town’s archival library (NYT).

Health

Economic recovery from the Covid crisis is current unsustainable for our climate, says the International Energy Agency (CNN).

COVID-19

International preventative measures against COVID-19, including entry restrictions and in-country mobility remain very fluid, and can be imposed without prior notice. Details for each country can be found in the travel advisories issued by the governments of the United States, Canada, the UK, New Zealand, and Australia. 

As notable cases: Vanuatu has paused outbound travel from its main island after a body that washed ashore tested positive for the coronavirus as contact tracing is carried out. Twenty-four people have been placed into quarantine (NYT). China has begun accepting U.S. coronavirus vaccination records in travel applications to the country, as it seeks to negotiate mutual recognition of vaccine passports with other nations (WaPo). Greece on Monday became one of the first European Union countries to reopen for leisure travelers from the United States. Most E.U. countries maintain a ban on nonessential travel from outside the bloc (WaPo). The U.S. Department of State will update travel advisories to better align with risk levels from the CDC, thus potentially bumping about 80% of countries to Level 4: Do not travel (WaPo).

Globally, as of 20 April, Johns Hopkins University counts 142,217,752 COVID-19 cases and 3,032,909 deaths, and the WHO COVID-19 dashboard reports 141,549,845 cases and 3,021,397 deaths. 

As notable cases: The World Health Organization representative in Cambodia has said that the outbreak could spiral into a “national tragedy,” given the country’s poor health care services (NYT). India reported 1,761 COVID-19 deaths in 24 hours, its highest single-day toll (NYT).

Vaccination campaigns around the world continue.  As of 19 April, Our World in Data reports over 919 million administered vaccine doses globally. The WHO COVID-19 dashboard as of 19 April reports over 793 million administered vaccine doses.

As notable cases: Researchers in China are testing the safety and efficacy of mixing two different Covid-19 shots (NYT). Argentina‘s government received 800,000 does of Russia’s Sputnik-V coronavirus vaccine Monday (CNN). Poland started administering Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 shots as benefits from the vaccine outweigh potential risks, government and drug office representatives said (Reuters).

Risk Levels

Countries risk levels remain high as reported by the CDC and the U.S. Department of State.

CDC COVID-19 Levels, last update on April 19

# Countries	Risk Level
141	Level 4: COVID-19 Very High (avoid all travel)
17	Level 3: COVID-19 High (avoid all non-essential travel)
35	Level Unknown: COVID-19 Unknown (avoid all non-essential travel)
21	Level 2: COVID-19 Moderate (travelers at increased risk for severe illness, avoid all non-essential travel)
31	Level 1: COVID-19 Low (take steps to mitigate risks before, during, and after travel)

U.S. Department of State Levels, last update on April 17.   

# Countries	Risk Level
34	Level 4: Do Not Travel
152	Level 3: Reconsider Travel
22	Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
3	Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions

Please note the revision date (mmddyy) of this report, printed on the title of the post, and go to the direct sources linked for the most up-to-date information.  The information in this report may change without prior notice.