As the coronavirus pandemic spreads and the total number of cases globally surpasses 300,000 with more than 13,000 deaths, the United States has become the third worst place in the world for the disease. According to the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center, as of March 22 the confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the US now totals 26,747, overtaking countries like Spain, Iran and Germany to make the US the nation with the third highest levels in the world.

Only China and Italy have higher levels of coronavirus than the United States, with China numbering 81,348 cases and Italy at 53,578 cases.

That said, the death toll is much lower in the United States than other countries at the top of the list. There have been only 340 coronavirus deaths reported across the US, per Johns Hopkins data. Compare this to Italy’s 4,825 deaths, which has surpassed China’s 3,144 deaths. Iran has had 1,556 deaths, while Spain has had 1,381.

Some experts point out that the overall spike in coronavirus numbers in the US reflects an increase in testing capacity for COVID-19. And as more labs are making more tests available, that means that even more cases of coronavirus will be reported.

Still the statistics are chilling. In New York City—the epicenter for the disease in the US—reports have showed that coronavirus is killing more than one person an hour, as the city’s death toll reaches well into the double digits. To help stop the spread of the disease, New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo has ordered all nonessential businesses to close and is urging residents to stay indoors. And over 80 million Americans are under a lockdown across the country, with states like New Jersey, Illinois and California issuing stay-at-home orders.

With the news that the United States has become the third-worst location for coronavirus in the world, it’s having profound ramifications in the travel space, as well. On Sunday, March 22, Japan raised its travel alert for the US to a Level 2, with the Japanese Foreign Ministry announcing that its citizens should not go to the United States unless it is essential. Japan currently has just over 1,000 cases of COVID-19.

Meanwhile, other countries have enacted similar warnings. On March 20, the United Kingdom’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advised against all but essential travel to the United States. Australia has a similar warning against travel to the US, as does China and others.

The news also comes on the heels of the US State Department raising its own worldwide travel advisory to the highest Level 4: Do Not Travel, which “advises US citizens to avoid all international travel due to the global impact of COVID-19.” The travel advisory also requires that any Americans currently overseas return home or shelter in place where they are.

Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, a US travel advisory on the magnitude of a Level 4 has only been used to warn against going to countries where travel is considered life-threateningly dangerous, such as Afghanistan, Iran or Iraq.

READ MORE:

• “Coronavirus Advice: The Happiest People In The World Share 5 Ways To Be Happy”

• “Coronavirus Travel: Is This Your Chance To Book The Cheapest Vacation Ever?”

• “Coronavirus Travel: The Scary Facts (And The Reassuring Ones)”

• “Work From Home Or Anywhere: Top 20 Companies For Remote Jobs In 2020”