After the peak had been exceeded and the dynamic had “clearly flattened out”, the forecasts assumed that easing would have no significant impact on the infection process and thus on the burden on intensive care medicine, according to an “ad hoc executive report”.
Video: Andreas Mayer-Bohusch (ORF) talks about the CoV summit on Wednesday. In addition to a possible end to the free tests, there should also be further relaxation. Mayer-Bohusch describes this as a “dangerous game”:
Before the federal-state summit, the government had asked the experts to assess what influence opening steps would have on the further course of the epidemiological curve after the peak was exceeded. The current models, which also include the subvariants BA1/BA2, would show that earlier opening steps can lead to higher case numbers, the brief statement notes.
Relaxation “very possible”
In the rise, loosening would strengthen the dynamics, but after the peak has been exceeded, these are “very possible,” writes Gecko in the statement. One of the reasons for this is that the measured dynamics lag behind the real dynamics by about a week, i.e. there is a “rapid decrease dynamics” after a peak. Another recommendation is that the dynamics of variants BA1 and BA2 should be considered separately.
The Corona summit between the federal and state governments scheduled for Wednesday could also bring an end to the free tests. Recently, Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) spoke out in favor of an end on the sidelines of a visit to Switzerland. When this could be is a matter of negotiation. And further easing could also be decided.
Advice on test strategy
Health Minister Wolfgang Mückstein (Greens) had recently promised advice on the test strategy. They are currently working intensively on evaluating and revising them, he said. The further procedure is to be discussed at the federal-state summit. In the federal states, the attitude towards the free tests is diverse. For example, Vorarlberg’s governor Markus Wallner (ÖVP) spoke out in favor of their end, while Vienna’s mayor Michael Ludwig (SPÖ) defended the strategy.
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Meanwhile, several members of Gecko are skeptical about lifting the mask requirement at schools. Red Cross Federal Rescue Commander Gerry Foitik wrote on Twitter, for example, that he had not spoken out in favor of it. As a “mild, cheap and effective way” to avoid infection, he recommends using masks indoors until Easter. The virologist Andreas Bergthaler and the simulation researcher Niki Popper also announced on Twitter that they had not endorsed the measure.
The summit is to take place on Wednesday after the Council of Ministers meeting in the morning. The representatives of the federal states will only be present virtually. As usual, the government wants to inform the public together with the Gecko-Spitzer afterwards. The press conference is scheduled for 1 p.m., nachrichten.at will be broadcast via live stream.
Source: Nachrichten
