2G and 2.5G were announced only a week ago, and on Monday the state will take the next step: a lockdown for unvaccinated people and additional measures in Upper Austria. “We have seen that we do not have the time to wait for the announced measures to take effect, especially when we take a look at the capacity utilization of the hospital,” said Governor Thomas Stelzer (VP) on Friday.
89 Covid-Intensivpatienten
There are currently 89 intensive care beds occupied by Covid patients, a week ago there were 62. “This trend must be stopped,” said Stelzer. He did not want to rule out further tightening. It is crucial, however, to make progress with the vaccination. Stelzer called on all skeptics to trust those whom they trust in the event of illness: the doctors.
Primary Bernd Lamprecht, who also took part in the press conference, stated that there were no more data and studies on any other vaccination. When asked whether they acted too late, Lamprecht referred to a statement he made at the beginning of summer: “Everything that we don’t do in summer takes revenge in autumn and winter.” Postscript: “And we didn’t do anything about vaccinations.”
- ON-TV: Lockdown for unvaccinated people from Monday
Discussion about compulsory vaccination
Accordingly, he commented positively on the announcement by Health Minister Wolfgang Mckstein (Grne) to plan compulsory vaccination in health professions. A step that the Deputy Governor and State Health Officer Christine Haberlander (VP) welcomed: “I am in favor of discussing this wherever there is a special level of protection.” The benefit of the vaccination can also be seen in hospital occupancy: “Of 463 Covid patients in normal wards, 59 percent are not vaccinated, and 73 percent of Covid intensive care patients. That is 300 patients who might have been avoidable.”
Load limit
For the events canceled from Monday and affected entrepreneurs, Stelzer announced economic aid. The executive will monitor compliance, even if this becomes “challenging”, as State Police Director Pilsl emphasized. However, the necessary experience has already been gained in previous lockdowns. “The popular sport of looking for a loophole everywhere has to come to an end,” said Haberlander.
You are not yet in a disaster situation in the hospitals, but the situation is tense, said Lamprecht. It is clear that one must “prioritize”, that is, postpone interventions and weigh up who will be treated in which order. During the second wave a year ago, 150 Covid patients were lying in the intensive care units: “We have learned where the stress limit of our hospitals is. We don’t want to go there again. Time is running out in the hospitals.” The situation is also stressful for the employees because “it is often perceived as avoidable”.
“Not interested in hiccups”
Most recently, Stelzer and Haberlander have been heavily criticized for their crisis management. SP, Grne and Neos accused the two of having reacted too late against their better judgment and failing to take responsibility. Stelzer was unmoved: “If some people need someone to blame for everything, that’s the way it is. But now people are not interested in political quarreling.” He rejected the accusations once again: “The dynamic of the situation means that the basis for decision-making changes on a daily basis.”
In a pandemic you can never say that you did everything right, says Haberlander: “And neither would I. You have to learn from mistakes. And we do that.”
As with all Corona press conferences most recently, Deputy Governor was Deputy Governor. Manfred Haimbuchner (FP) wasn’t there yesterday.
Missing FP
Two hours earlier he himself had invited to a press conference on economic policy issues. On request, Haimbuchner stated that the federal government was responsible for the corona measures. “It is pretended that this is decided in Upper Austria. But according to the distribution of competencies, the federal government specifies that, the governor has to do it, there is no way to deviate.” Upper Austria can only “exert minimal influence”. The representation of his coalition partner Stelzer is different: “We announce measures that we are taking as the state government and that are also supported by the government partnership.”
Haimbuchner announced that the federal regulation, according to which the convalescent status no longer applies after six months regardless of the antibodies, will be brought before the Constitutional Court. (eiba / az)
Asked
“The dynamic of the situation means that the basis for decision-making changes on a daily basis.”
Thomas Stelzer, Governor
“The popular sport of looking for a loophole everywhere must come to an end.”
Christine Haberlander, LH deputy, national health officer
“We have learned where the stress limit of our hospitals is.”
Bernd Lamprecht, Board Member for Pulmonology Clinic, KUK
“We’ll get a density of controls that you can feel.”
Andreas Pilsl, State Police Director
Source From: Nachrichten
