Unfortunately, Austria is once again number one: namely in terms of the seven-day incidence. Yesterday it was 1067.5 infected people per 100,000 inhabitants. For comparison: Europe-wide, Germany was far behind in second place with a value of 788.3. Upper Austria is again in the inglorious top field: the incidence in the federal state is 1224.4; only in Salzburg is it even higher.
The number of expired vaccination certificates is also likely to continue to rise: According to the state’s latest figures from September 29, 239,238 full immunization certificates had expired in Upper Austria. According to the country’s crisis management team, more recent data is no longer available due to a data changeover.
At first glance, the situation is reminiscent of the previous year: the number of infections rose rapidly around this time in autumn. Within a few weeks, the hospitals’ capacity limit was reached – and exceeded. It’s different this year, says Franz Harnoncourt, CEO of the Upper Austrian Health Holding. “Based on the current forecasts, we assume that the peak of the autumn wave will already be reached in the next few days. If that’s the case, the situation will remain manageable for the hospitals,” says Harnoncourt. The reason for the more relaxed situation is better medication for Covid sufferers, but also the lessons from the past waves. The aim is to maintain routine medicine as far as possible, says the CEO. It should be avoided that operations have to be canceled like in the previous year. To this end, all houses in Upper Austria will work together: “In the event of staff shortages in one hospital, for example, a patient will be transferred to another so that a routine procedure can be carried out there,” says the head of the health holding company. In addition, they want to ensure stable rosters and locations for employees.
Discussion about compulsory masks
Sigrid Maurer, chairwoman of the Greens, triggered a nationwide discussion with the announcement that the mask requirement would return in the near future. Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler (Greens) did not want to commit himself at a press conference yesterday. He referred to the stable situation in the hospitals. Health Minister Rauch (Greens) said on Monday that no decision would be made before October 23 when the current Corona Measures Ordinance expires.
Video: What do Upper Austrians think of a possible comeback of the mask requirement? OÖN-TV asked around:
Yesterday, representatives of several federal states called for a nationwide uniform solution regarding the obligation to wear masks – and were open to reintroducing it. Upper Austria’s Health Councilor and LH Deputy Christine Haberlander (VP) also advocated a nationwide solution. However, she urged that the quiet situation in the intensive care units should also be taken into account when making the decision. Vienna’s Mayor Michael Ludwig (SP) announced that he would soon consult with experts about measures. Vienna is the only federal state in which masks are still compulsory on public transport.
Opinions are divided in federal politics: While SP vice club boss Jörg Leichtfried said on the question of reintroduction that expert opinions should be followed, Neos boss Beate Meinl-Reisinger clearly rejected the mask requirement because it “wouldn’t have a big effect”. Negative reactions also came from the FP.
The union and Chamber of Commerce were unanimous in their opposition to a mask requirement. The obligation to wear them is unreasonable for employees.
Source: Nachrichten
