The Federal Government informed in a press foyer about the current developments about the COVID v19 situation in Austria.
The lockdown had worked well, but because of Christmas Austria is now facing the most difficult four weeks ever, Anschober began his analysis. “We expect that there is still a noticeable reduction”. At the same time, the minister urges caution: new infections from today will not be reflected in the statistics for another two weeks.
“The direction is right, but it is extremely too high,” said Anschober with regard to the target of 2,000 new infections per day.
“The hard lockdown has had an absolute impact, in a positive way”. Currently, the reproduction factor is at a value of 0.84. Now it is important to reduce it to below 0.8.
In the area of 7-day incidence, a strong decrease has been recorded. In Austria, 522 new infections per 100,000 inhabitants were recorded at the start of the lockdown; today, we are at 237 – almost on a par with Italy and the Netherlands. Germany, however, with 137, is in a much better position. The situation is dramatic in other countries in our neighborhood: Croatia is currently at 578 and Slovenia at 503, and Switzerland and Hungary also have figures above 300.
With the mass test Anschober complains about a lack of participation on the part of the population.
“Austria has achieved a lot, but at the same time we cannot let up now. The police would continue to strictly control the curfews between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., Interior Minister Karl Nehammer said.
“We must do everything possible to ensure that the numbers continue to fall,” Nehammer continued. “And yes, the test figures are good, but they are still far from being good enough. “Use the opportunity to get tested”, the Minister explained.
“A test is much better than a lockdown. A test is much better than losing your job”. Now it’s up to you: “It is now in our joint hands to prevent another lockdown”. And: “Those who test now create security for themselves. The biggest challenge is with people who do not know that they have the virus”.
At the same time Nehammer defended the school closures in the lockdown. Germany would be in a much better position at the moment and is currently considering similar measures, he argued.
— hp, Source: heute.at and news agencies. picture: screenshot, orf.at
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