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More than 3,500 new infections, almost 400 CoV patients in intensive care units and 42 deaths: the last 24 hours are further proof for Health Minister Rudi Anschober (Greens) that we are facing a “linear increase and very constant. ” If this continues, it would be a “completely alarming situation”.
The Minister of Health, like any other member of the government, did not pronounce the word “confinement.” Especially since the next steps will be discussed on Monday with governors, experts and the opposition; In theory, even regional flexibility is under discussion.
In practical terms, however, Anschober declared: “All of Europe is now in the third wave, including us.” In some regions, the situation in intensive care units is “critical”. In any case, it is important to prevent “difficult triages” in Austria.
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Vienna postpones operations
Although the situation in Upper Austria is relatively stable, Vienna is one of the most polluted regions. Vienna Health Association (Wigev) spokesman Markus Pederiva announced on Friday that non-urgent and planned operations have begun to be outsourced to religious and private hospitals or appointments have been postponed. Because “we are very concerned about the development of the number of infections.” Visiting rules in Viennese hospitals have also been tightened. One visitor per patient per day is allowed upon enrollment and presentation of a valid negative test result on Sars-CoV-2.
School after easter
It is unclear how it will continue after Easter in schools, where rapid anterior-nasal crown tests are held three times a week from now on. “Infectious children are eliminated from the system even faster due to the high frequency,” said Education Minister Heinz Faßmann (VP), in view of the increasing number of infections in schools. Of 1.6 million rapid tests in schools this week, 1,325 tested positive.
Simulation expert Niki Popper advocates for regular school operations after Easter. With the many tests and extensive evaluations, children and teens do better in school than those who are not tested at home. The epidemiologist Gerald Gartlehner, for his part, sees the extension of the holidays as an instrument to slow down the infection process. For the leader of the SP, Pamela Rendi-Wagner, it would be “the last resort to counteract.” FP education spokesperson Hermann Brückl, on the other hand, wants normal lessons without masks and compulsory exams. This is the only way to avoid “even greater collateral damage.” (luc)
1.2 million vaccines
The Minister of Health, Anschober, was satisfied with the course of the vaccination campaign. By Friday, 1.2 million vaccinations had taken place across the country. 11.5 percent of the people in question would have received at least the first stitch. After Easter, the pace should pick up. Anchober expects six million cans to be delivered from April through the end of June. Two-thirds of those ready for vaccination are said to have been achieved.
