Category: Feature Stories

The number of new Corona infections reported worldwide dropped 16 percent last week to 2.7 million. The number of reported deaths also fell within a week, by 10 percent to 81,000, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced Tuesday evening in Geneva, based on Sunday’s figures. Five of six WHO regions saw double-digit percentage declines in new corona cases, with only the eastern Mediterranean seeing a seven percent increase. In Africa and the Western Pacific, the number of cases decreased by 20 percent last week, in Europe by 18 percent, in…

Read More

Researchers at the Technical University of Berlin have published calculations of the risk of infection for various indoor scenarios: from hairdressers and supermarkets to movie theaters and gyms. “The point is that we are now entering the loosening phases,” said study leader Martin Kriegel. Multiple influencing factors taken into accountIn the calculations, which were not peer-reviewed by independent experts and have not been published in a journal, Kriegel and his TU colleague Anne Hartmann focus on common places such as theaters, restaurants and schools. Influencing factors taken into account are…

Read More

The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus is mutating, and currently two variants in particular are being closely watched around the world: The British (B.1.1.7) and South African (B.1.351) variants. They are said to be significantly more contagious, and concerns are repeatedly expressed that vaccines may no longer be effective against certain mutations. It is perfectly normal for viruses to mutate. We asked exactly why this happens. How do viruses reproduce?Before you can understand mutation, you first have to understand how viruses replicate. “A virus, unlike bacteria, is not able to reproduce on its…

Read More

European Network of Filipino Diaspora Austria (ENFiD-Austria) organized a virtual panel discussion on “CoViD-19 Vaccination Dilemma on 28 January 2021 via zoom. Vienna, 28 January 2021 – In an act of unity, CoViD-19 vaccination started across the European Union on 27 December 2020. Yet, to date many are still in a dilemma as to whether to be or not to be vaccinated. Therefore, the European Network of Filipino Diaspora Austria (ENFiD-Austria) organized a virtual panel discussion on “CoViD-19 Vaccination Dilemma on 28 January 2021 via zoom. Chairperson, Ms Maria Zelda…

Read More

Despite Corona, Austrians are more generous on Valentine’s Day than last year. On average, 72 euros per capita are spent on gifts. The trade is pleased.Valentine’s Day 2021 is just around the corner. Many Austrians are planning to surprise their loved ones with Valentine’s Day gifts this year as well. Together with Mindtake Research and idealo.at, the trade association has analyzed facts and figures on buying behavior in times of the Corona pandemic. Flowers most popular as a gift for Valentine’s Day“On average, 72 euros per capita will be spent…

Read More

An online survey showed that about 45 percent of respondents will get vaccinated against Covid-19. About 42 percent do not expect to return to normal until 2022. About 45 percent of respondents in an online survey will get vaccinated against Covid-19 either on their own initiative or for professional reasons. The survey, conducted over the past three weeks by psychologists at the University of Salzburg, involved 3,606 people across Austria, study initiator Manuel Schabus told APA. About 42 percent do not expect a return to normality until 2022. “Expression of…

Read More

AUSTRIA: According to geneticist Andreas Bergthaler, who also advises the government, the data to date show an east-west divide for the British “B.1.1.7” variant and large regional differences. The scientist is concerned, for example, about the Tyrolean cluster with the South African variant (“B.1.351”) – recently, numerous cases occurred in the district of Schwaz. In a random sample of almost 500 positively tested persons in TIrol, a B.1.1.7 proportion of around five percent was recently found, with 15 percent “B.1351”. However, these are regional highlights and can certainly not be…

Read More

They have cryptic names and are likely to complicate pandemic containment: Corona mutations are currently worrying policymakers despite falling case numbers. What should we watch out for? South African mutant, British viral mutation, Brazilian covid species and more: in recent weeks, modified corona pathogens have also been detected with increasing frequency in Austrian laboratories. But what does that actually mean? How widespread are they and what dangers do they pose? Here is an overview of the most important questions and answers: ❓ Which variants are involved?🦠 B.1.1.7 | United Kingdom:…

Read More

Service providers close to the body are allowed to open up again from next Monday. However, until further notice, anyone going to the hairdresser, tattoo artist or similar must present a negative Covid test, which must not be older than 48 hours. Question: I am regularly being tested at work. Does the test apply when I enter a hair saloon? – Generally, any antigen or PCR test that healthcare professionals take applies – self-tests do not. For body-based services such as hairdressing, the test must be older than 48 hours.Question:…

Read More