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The day before the shutdown, Health Minister Rudolf Anschober said the forecast predicts an average of 7,000 new infections per day for this week. “If that happens like that, it would be too much. We are approaching capacity limits in hospitals.”
It presents the numbers for the weekend: there were 26,232 tests, 4657 new infections (the traditionally lowest value on Monday). The most affected federal states are Lower Austria and Upper Austria, each with around 1,000 new infections.
There are 13 more people in intensive care units, a total of 612 patients. The plateau in hospitals should be reached between November 20 and 27, Anschober says.
Mass test strategy this week
Regarding the mass tests announced by Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, Anschober says: “Intensive tests are already underway, the new regulation stipulates weekly tests in certain areas, for example in the elderly and nursing homes. Three million antigen tests are being carried out. they are doing step by step. “
However: “We will do an expansion of the mass testing,” Anschober says. How exactly will it be fixed this week. There are three options: First, massively expand testing in the elderly and nursing homes. Second, set regional priorities. Or, thirdly, “generally very broad.”
In the US, massive tests were carried out in large individual cities, and there are also examples in Europe, such as Slovakia. These experiences would now be collected and incorporated into a strategy in Austria.
Skeptical Anschober
Anchober does not hide his skepticism towards the third variant: testing the entire population if possible. In any case, it is important that it is not a single point measurement, but that the tests must be performed continuously. The biggest challenges are organizing massive tests and preventing testers from getting infected.
However, the basic decision now must be made as to whether “testing will be carried out extensively and intensively at hotspots” or whether general testing will be carried out for as large a section of the population as possible.
Anschober is against coercion, also against indirect ones, in the sense that if you are tested, you get more freedom of movement than those who refuse to do so. Green is convinced that people will participate voluntarily. Getting a sufficient amount of high-quality evidence shouldn’t be the problem, Anschober says. There are enough on the market.
Last but not least, Anschober makes an “urgent” call to use the Stop Corona app.
Finnish example
Rotkreut commander Gerry Foitik refers to the Finnish example that the second wave did not materialize there, and that this is not only due to intense electronic contact tracing, but also. The Stop Corona app is being improved and expanded.
Anschober adds that the federal government is paying one million euros in funds for further development of the app.
“The diabolical thing about Corona”
The president of the Medical Association, Thomas Szekeres, says that one of the essential aids in breaking the chains of infection is the follow-up of contacts. The point is to quickly find out if you have had contact with someone who is infected so as not to infect family members. Szekeres: “The devil is that you do not even feel if you are infected, but you are contagious.” Therefore, using the application is very useful, because the application can reach contacts early and warn them.
Szekeres says you should go out and take a walk during the confinement, it’s healthy and safe. Simply sitting on the couch is unhealthy.
“Do not neglect other diseases”
Szekeres says you should contact ordinations and hospitals if you have symptoms. He appeals that anyone with symptoms should consult a doctor and that other illnesses should not be neglected.
The 7-day incidence (New infections per 100,000 inhabitants in the last seven days) is currently 543. The target was a 7-day incidence of less than 50. The traceability of the infection chain has recently greatly decreased; recently, the source of the infection could be investigated in only 23 percent of those infected.
In addition to more tracking personnel, the federal government is now using the Stop Corona app again. At the end of October, it had around 1.1 million downloads. In view of the number of infections in Austria, which has a population of more than 8 million, these are few.
KURIER reports live from 10 am
