Austria: Around 1,400 positive PCR tests at schools this week

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There has been a significant increase in the number of coronavirus infections detected by PCR tests at schools this week.

After 922 positive tests in the previous week, 1,420 cases were registered this week, according to data from the Ministry of Education and the City of Vienna, respectively. That’s a new high – before that, the numbers initially fluctuated between 1,100 and 1,200 before dropping to 1,020 and then 922 in the last two weeks.

Rising numbers in almost all states
Rising numbers were reported in almost all federal states: In Vienna (where PCR testing takes place twice a week), 480 students gave positive tests (previous week: 366).

There were also significant increases in Upper Austria with 350 positive tests (previous week: 197), Lower Austria with 203 (143), Styria with 149 (85), Salzburg with 72 (42), Carinthia with 60 (44) and Tyrol with 50 (32).

In Burgenland, as in the previous week, eight cases were registered, in Vorarlberg none – although in the “Ländle” only voluntary as well as random testing at some selected “guardian schools”.

In addition, there are 48 positive tests among school staff in Vienna, where one school and 28 classes are currently suspended. In the other states, teachers and administrators do not participate in the school PCR testing program.

Five schools and 122 classes closed
Across Austria, five schools and 122 classes are currently closed due to CoV infections – although this will automatically change with the fall vacations next week. After the return to classes on November 3, the quarantine period will have expired.

For Vienna’s City Councillor for Education Christoph Wiederkehr (NEOS), the observed increase in infections was “expected” in view of the growing numbers of infections in the general population as well, it said in a statement. After the vacations, further tests will be carried out and attempts will be made to convince young people of the usefulness of vaccination with low-threshold offers.

— source: ORF.at/agencies/picture:pixabay.com