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

Rebels are threatening to depose the son of Chad‘s slain president after he was named interim leader of the central African nation (ABC News).

Natural Disasters

In Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, seismic activity at La Soufrière volcano continued over the past 24 hours. Emergency operations are still ongoing.  The alert level continues at red (ERCC).

Health

Two million people facing growing food insecurity linked to the ongoing political crisis in Myanmar are to receive nutrition assistance, amid rising “hunger and desperation” (UN News)

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: Germany will impose lockdowns on areas with high coronavirus infection rates under new law approved by the upper house of parliament on Thursday (CNN). Over 1000 tourists have entered Iceland in the first two weeks of April holding a COVID-19 travel certificate, proving that they had either been vaccinated or that they have recovered from the Coronavirus (Schengenvisainfo). Mexico will maintain restrictions on non-essential land crossings from the United States until May 21 (Reuters). The US State Department has added at least 116 countries this week to its “Level Four: Do Not Travel” advisory list (Reuters).

Globally, as of 21 April, Johns Hopkins University counts 143,996,821 COVID-19 cases and 3,061,697 deaths, and the WHO COVID-19 dashboard reports 143,184,614 cases and 3,047,322 deaths. 

As notable cases:  India on Thursday reported 314,835 cases in 24 hrs, the highest number in the world since the beginning of the pandemic (WaPo).

Vaccination campaigns around the world continue.  As of 21 April, Our World in Data reports over 950 million administered vaccine doses globally. The WHO COVID-19 dashboard as of 21 April reports over 889 million administered vaccine doses.

As notable cases: China has administered about 200 million coronavirus vaccine doses as part of an effort to inoculate 40 percent of its population by mid-June, senior officials said this week (WaPo).  Spain will donate between 5% and 10% of its Covid-19 shots to the global vaccine sharing scheme once 50% of its population is inoculated (CNN).

Risk Levels

WHO Rapid risk assessment update: The global public health risk remains very high. The  COVID-19 pandemic  shows  no  signs of easing, with global case and death incidence increasing at a concerning rate since mid-February 2021.

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 21. 

# Countries	Risk Level
156	Level 4: Do Not Travel
38	Level 3: Reconsider Travel
16	Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
1	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.