Month: April 2022

Recombinants from two omicron variants discovered in Austria

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As microbiologist Andreas Bergthaler reported on Twitter, a new SARS-CoV-2 recombinant has appeared in Austria. Samples have confirmed as yet undescribed recombination of BA.2 with the spike of BA.1.1. However, no striking property changes would be expected in this corona variant based on data to date. Therefore, the expert reassured there is no epidemiological or clinical cause for alarm. “Coronaviruses not only change individual genetic letters but can also exchange larger genetic regions,” Bergthaler explained via tweet. The prerequisite for this, he said, is that two viruses infect a host…

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With or without a green passport? Things to consider when you spend the Easter holidays outside Austria

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Many Austrians struggle through a jungle of Corona rules even when traveling. 3 G or PCR test? Do I have to fill out an entry form? What measures apply in the country? What do I have to consider when driving home? The virus is causing headaches in our travel planning this year as well. How to avoid any nasty surprises in neighboring countries: ▶Italy: One needs a valid green passport (in paper or digital form) and a pre-registration on the Internet. When eating pizza indoors, 3 G applies, in the…

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16,479 new infections in Austria on Thursday

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From Wednesday to Thursday, 16,479 new infections were registered in Austria. Within the past 24 hours, 373,301 PCR tests were performed. This results in a positive rate of 4.41 percent. The new infections are below the past seven-day average of 17,016, with a seven-day incidence of 1,338.19. Currently, 232,816 people in Austria are actively infected with coronavirus. There are also 44 new deaths associated with covid 19 infection to report. To date, corona virus has claimed 16,141 lives in Austria. Currently, 2,749 people are being treated in hospital. That is…

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Orange at COVID traffic light in sight

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This week, infection and testing declines have not yet been enough to move a state out of the highest-risk range on the CoV traffic light. However, several are now just shy of the 100 risk number, above which it moves to lower levels. On the positive side, the 14-day trend shows that the number of infections has declined everywhere. The risk figure, used to assess the risk situation based on various parameters, shows that the trend is downward rather rapidly. Carinthia, for example, was at 337 a week ago and…

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Validity for green passport currently maximum 270 days

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In Austria, the Green Passport is currently valid for six months (180 days) for those vaccinated twice and nine months (270 days) for those vaccinated three times or more. Green passport: validity is extended Some triple Corona vaccinated are now or soon without a passport; Health Minister Johannes Rauch has recently held out the prospect of an early extension for triple vaccinated. Speculation is with a validity of 12 months. The following is an overview of the current regulations. Currently, the green passport in Austria is valid for a maximum…

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WHO: climate change saw as biggest threat to health

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The WHO estimates that more than 13 million deaths worldwide are due to preventable environmental causes. Moreover, the most significant health threat to humanity comes from climate change. Ideas for a better world “Health promotion can contribute a lot to climate protection. Ditch the car, get on the bike, or eat more plant-based foods and consume less meat,” said Health Minister Johannes Rauch (Greens). “Both prevent disease and protect the climate,” the minister stressed. The Healthy Austria Fund (FGÖ) has included “Healthy lifestyles and climate protection through intersectoral cooperation” as…

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Protection from the fourth Corona vaccine wears off quickly

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The fourth dose of BioNTech and Pfizer’s vaccine does lower rates of covid-19 in the elderly. But protection from infection appears to be short-lived, according to a large-scale study in Israel. Protection from the second booster vaccination waned after just four weeks, Israeli researchers showed in their study published Tuesday in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine. Protection against severe disease after the fourth Corona vaccination The protection against serious diseases did not diminish in the six weeks after the vaccination. However, the scientists said further follow-up studies are…

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EMA: Fourth vaccination for all not necessary at present

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The EU Medicines Agency (EMA) does not currently consider a fourth CoV vaccination for all citizens necessary. It is now too early for a general recommendation, and the EMA was announced today in Amsterdam together with the EU health authority (ECDC). However, a fourth dose could be helpful for people 80 years and older, given the higher risk of severe CoV disease in this age group. “For adults aged 60 years and older with a normal immune system, there is no conclusive evidence that vaccine protection against severe disease decreases…

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ANNOUNCEMENT ON OVERSEAS VOTING – Philippine Embassy Vienna

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The Philippine Embassy in Vienna informs all registered Filipino overseas voters in Austria, Croatia, Slovakia and Slovenia that the overseas voting period for the 2022 Philippine National Elections will be from 10 April until 9 May 2022 (7:00 PM Philippine time). The mode of voting for Austria, Croatia, Slovakia and Slovenia is by postal voting. The Philippine Embassy will mail a ballot to each registered overseas voter included in the Certified List of Voters, available at https://bit.ly/ViennaCLOV, once funds for mailing expenses have been received from COMELEC. The Embassy will…

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