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The Minister of Health expressed the need for strict measures. The numbers “exploded”, he had to “pull the emergency brake.” But you should not hide completely at home.
It was not just over a week ago that Health Minister Rudolf Anschober (Greens) spoke of “doing everything” to avoid a second blockade. This is now there faster than desired. As of tomorrow, Tuesday, parts of Austria will once again take a back seat, including drastic measures in the private sector.
Health Minister Anschober explained the reason for the rapid change in a press conference Monday morning. “Our forecasts came true on October 20.” But then the figures in Europe and Austria “exploded” and “increased dramatically. When he had the current forecasts on the table last Tuesday night, he knew that he had to” pull the emergency brake “. Because then there would be” big problems in intensive care units “in the second half of November.
4135 new infections were reported Monday. Although significantly less than in recent days, this is still “no relaxation,” Anschober said, but in all likelihood the “Sunday effect,” that is, fewer reports due to the weekend. There are 2,261 patients in the hospital, an increase of 213 from yesterday, “which is alarming.” The number of patients in intensive care rose to 336, 45 more than on Sunday. So in one week there was a 62 percent increase in Covid 19 patients in hospitals. In intensive care units, the increase was even 78 percent.
Anschober assumes that the numbers will increase significantly this week. In the best case scenario, the measures would only take effect within 14 days. As long as they are met.
Anschober also goes out at night
The Minister of Health again appealed to the population: “We need you. We are about to set course. “He was aware that the new regulations would demand a lot, but” there are no alternatives in this situation. “They had already achieved it in spring,” we can do it for the second time. “
Regarding exit restrictions, Anschober said that “of course” it was possible to leave the house after 8 pm to get some fresh air in a park or go jogging. “I don’t have time during the day either, I also do it at night.” Exercise is extremely important and total withdrawal is not recommended. After all, the current crisis represents a huge psychological burden for many, which is why he currently wants to increase psychosocial help.
“Saving during the cold season”
Several experts supported the Minister of Health at the press conference in arguing why these measures are now so important. Herwig Ostermann, Managing Director of Gesundheit Österreich GesmbH, warned that “our health system will reach its capacity limits relatively quickly” if new infections and the effective reproductive number, which is currently 1.4 in Austria, are not depressed.
According to infectologist Herwig Kollaritsch, the infection process will likely continue in waves over the next few months. You have to “save yourself as best you can during the cold season.” Because even if the measures trigger some collateral damage, “there is no alternative.” That it can be successful is currently seen in Israel, where a blockade clearly affects the infection process they have pressed.
Even with a completed vaccination, “the problem is not over,” Kollaritsch said. There are still too many question marks here, like how many vaccines are actually available and how they will actually work. Because there are vaccines that do not completely protect against a disease, but only mitigate it, or others that completely block an infection. One hundred percent effectiveness “will not be likely.” However, a vaccine will “lighten some of the burden” “until we can say, ‘Burn’ at some point.”
No infections in the hospital
Intensive care physician Klaus Markstaller spoke of the importance of keeping critical care capabilities free. Not just beds, of which Austria has a comparatively high number of 30 beds per 100,000 inhabitants. “The problem is the experience.” The trained staff “cannot be drastically increased in a few months.” That’s the “where we need your help” point. They will be able to reach this current peak and one, but only if the measurements are observed.
At the same time, he assured that people should continue to go to the hospital for treatment. A hospital is a safe place, “we didn’t have any infection among the staff in the summer.” If so, people would have been infected privately.
Hope for a “good Christmas”
MedUni Vienna virologist Monika Redlberger-Fritz said the current situation is more difficult to deal with than it was in the spring. Back then, the level of infections was generally lower than it is now. There is a certain basic circulation of viruses. He was able to clearly see the exponential increase in infections in random samples among patients treated for a respiratory infection. In the spring, 5 out of 100 patients examined were corona-positive. “The week before we were at 20 out of 100, in the last week we were at 40 out of 100.”
The virologist also gave reasons for hope: the more everyone adheres to the measures, “the sooner he relaxes again.” Then they could have better social contacts again in December and “have a good Christmas together.”
