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The number of new infections with the coronavirus is again increasing significantly faster: on Tuesday, according to the Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES), an adjusted 865 new cases were reported for the previous day; the ministries had previously communicated 902 new cases. This value is not only significantly higher than those of recent days, it is also the highest since May 12: On that day, the AGES recorded 997 infections.
However, not only are there more new infections, but the number of people undergoing treatment has also been rising significantly again since the beginning of August. While 123 hospitalizations (33 in intensive care units) were reported on July 31, according to AGES, on Tuesday there were already 192 cases (46 in intensive care units).
If one looks back to May 12, however, there is also a positive development in the number of hospitalizations: At that time, according to AGES, 797 people were in normal wards, 337 people in intensive care – significantly more than today. The number of deaths remains at a low level.
Most new infections in Vienna
In terms of new infections, the highest increase occurred most recently in Vienna, where 245 cases were recorded. This was followed by Upper Austria with 186 and Lower Austria with 97 infections. In Styria there were 86, in Salzburg 71 and in Tyrol 66 new cases. Carinthia followed with 52 and Vorarlberg with 44 new infections. The lowest number – 18 – was in Burgenland.
Expert sees no critical situation yet
However, experts do not yet consider the currently rising infection figures to be critical. Herwig Ostermann, managing director of Gesundheit Österreich (GÖG), said in the “Kurier” (Thursday edition): “As things stand, the healthcare system can cope with between 3,000 and 10,000 new infections a day at the current age-specific hospitalization rate, depending on the age structure and vaccination status of those testing positive, without overloading intensive care units.”
The age distribution in which the virus circulates is significant: The younger the infected population, the more infections can be tolerated, he said.
Consortium expects further increase
The CoV forecasting consortium expects a further increase in infections and hospital occupancy. Experts project about 670 new infections per day for the coming week, ranging from 600 cases on the first forecast day to 740 on the last forecast day, Aug. 18, it said Wednesday.
The 7-day incidence is also expected to rise further to 53.7 cases per 100,000 population. At the same time, the incidence of infection varies widely by region: in Burgenland, the consortium expects a 7-day incidence of 22, and in Vorarlberg, 79.
According to the panel, the rising number of cases will also have an impact on the number of cases in hospitals. However, all this should remain within a range that does not pose a serious threat to hospital capacities.
source: prf.at/picture: pixabay.com
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