Category: Feature Stories

Vienna – The Omicron wave continues to flatten out. On Sunday, the fewest new infections since January were reported: 10,635 – albeit with a low number of tests. In hospitals, bed occupancy is declining. Almost 3.8 million people are now considered recovered in Austria. What will happen next? Measures At present, masks are compulsory in all indoor rooms in Austria and 3G in night catering – and stricter rules in Vienna. The national regulation expires on Holy Saturday. The government is currently negotiating whether it will be extended again. The…

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US researchers have found that mouth masks can weaken corona symptoms. Mouth masks can protect ourselves and those around us from coronavirus infection. Now, a new study shows that covers offer another significant benefit. Researchers from the National Institutes of Health have gathered evidence that wearing a mask in the event of infection also helps mitigate COVID-19 symptoms. The study results were published in the Biophysical Journal. The humidity of the mask supports immune response Study authors indicated that the moisture generated inside a mask helps fight respiratory illness. Wearing…

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A new study from Israel shows that taking aspirin could reduce the risk of infection with Corona. Aspirin is a universally known painkiller, best known for its fever-reducing effects. But in addition to colds and cardiovascular disease, the drug could also be effective against Corona infection. Israeli researchers wanted to find out if aspirin could help fight COVID-19. Their study suggests that taking aspirin could reduce the corona risk. The study was published in the “FEBS Journal.” Aspirin as corona prevention? The study authors from Bar-Ilan University hypothesized that daily…

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The EU Medicines Agency (EMA) and EU health agency ECDC announced in a joint press release Wednesday that the joint Covid 19 Task Force (ETF) has decided it is too early to consider vaccinating a fourth dose of the mRNA vaccine (Pfizer’s Comirnaty and Moderna’s Spikevax) in the general population. However, he said that such a second booster could be administered in 80 years and older adults. In Austria, the National Vaccination Panel will deliberate on the need for a fourth vaccination starting today, April 8. They reached this conclusion…

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There is a current discussion about whether a fourth Corona vaccination will become necessary or proper. The “booster,“ the third Corona vaccination, started in early fall. We are slowly approaching the time when the dose will have been given 270 days ago, and the green passport will therefore lose its validity. Also, the protection against severe courses decreases sharply after several months, especially with the new Omicron variant. The necessity and possible obligation for a fourth vaccination are being discussed worldwide. The National Vaccination Committee will deal with this question…

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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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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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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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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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