It is highly likely that this will lead to a wave of infections “which can bring significant economic and social impairment”, it said in a broadcast by the committee. For now, the situation is a little relaxed. Burgenland and Vienna have even left the high-risk area.
Taking a deep breath should only be a short one. The system risk posed by Omikron is rated as “very high”. The Commission points out that due to the fourth epidemic wave, the levels of floor coverings in intensive care and normal wards are still showing a high level of pollution, which is likely to be reduced too slowly to be able to cope with renewed heavy entrances without supply restrictions.
Even if the disease burden of the Omikron variant was possibly reduced, the expected high number of people infected at the same time posed a realistic risk of overloading the health system. The recommended “essential” countermeasures include an FFP2 requirement in all settings, including tests for vaccinated persons Christmas gatherings, home office and avoidance of crowds.
Red zone over 100
In addition, there is the urgent recommendation to continue vaccinating, as this is the most effective means according to the current status. At the moment, just 33 percent are boosted in Austria. Scientists recently assumed that only the third prick would have a relatively good effect against Omikron. Only just under 69 percent have received at least two vaccinations.
Before the widespread arrival of Omikron, the situation looks pretty good; a decline in intensive care units is currently assumed everywhere. With Burgenland and Vienna, two federal states made it out of the highest risk level this week. Both were switched to orange, which “only” indicates high risk.
The current situation is measured by the number of risks, which includes not only the cases but also the vaccination status and age of the patients. Above 100 you are in the red zone, which indicates a very high risk, below it starts orange. Basically, according to the working document of the commission available to the APA, the numbers fell everywhere in the past week, but only Vienna and Burgenland made it to the second-highest risk level – the federal capital relatively close at 90, Burgenland significantly at around 69. At the other end of the scale, Vorarlberg is at 400.
The “Ländle”, which, together with Tyrol and Burgenland, opened up completely from last Sunday, is also the federal state with the worst values by far in terms of absolute numbers of cases. Burgenland has the lowest seven-day incidence.
55 percent of cases across Austria are currently being clarified, with the countries showing quite similar rates here. Only Vorarlberg falls with 37 percent. Lower Austria has the best value with 64 percent.
Worst intensive situation in Vorarlberg
When it comes to the detected asymptomatic infections, Tyrol comes in last with just 13 percent of the total cases. As usual, Vienna is the lone leader with 51 percent. This is mainly due to the fact that in the federal capital, measured in terms of population, twice as many tests are now given as in the next best federal state, Burgenland. The least test pleasure is found in the country with the highest percentage of cases. In Vorarlberg there are almost 24,000 tests per 100,000 inhabitants. The Viennese value is 106,000. In addition to Tyrol, Vorarlberg also has the worst situation in the intensive care units.
The fact that the lockdown is having an effect and that Omikron has not yet prevailed can be seen with a look at the district statistics. All districts show a declining 14-day trend. Given the other data, it is hardly surprising that two Vorarlberg districts, Bludenz and Feldkirch, have the worst numbers. With Neusiedl / See, one district has a seven-day incidence below 100.
In schools, however, people remain cautious. All countries remain in the highest risk level three.
Source: Nachrichten
