He assumes that the number of unreported cases of new infections is very high and that 4,000 to 5,000 Austrians are newly infected every day. To prevent this, it is essential for him that a million people are vaccinated in the next few weeks, says Popper.
If this succeeds, only “relatively low-level measures” will be necessary to keep the pandemic under control. Should this not succeed, however, politicians would have to come up with a “Plan B”. He believes that the number of unreported cases who are immunized – vaccinated or recovered – is 70 percent. But there would still be ten to 30 percent missing to make good progress. “The vaccination motor not only stuttered, it also came to a standstill,” says Popper, describing the current situation. On May 7th, half as many people were vaccinated in Austria as in the entire month of August.
The situation is better than last year because there are now more vaccinated people in Austria. “But we can’t do anything.” Vaccination alone will no longer be enough, it also has to be tested consistently. And politics must decide where hygiene measures are necessary.
The start of school in the coming weeks in the east and then in the west of Austria will have a test effect, predicts Popper. Due to the increased number of tests, cases will be recognized “which we have not seen before”.
Jane Stock is a technology author, who has written for 24 Hours World. She writes about the latest in technology news and trends, and is always on the lookout for new and innovative ways to improve his audience’s experience.
