Category: General Interest

Unsettled weather remains this week in Austria, with temperatures in particular subject to fluctuation. On Wednesday, the thermometer may climb back up to 10 degrees, then it will go steeply downhill again.Central Europe is under the continuing influence of low pressure and on the edge of an extensive blocking high over the Atlantic, cool air masses of Arctic origin also enter the country at the beginning of the week. On Monday, the unsettled and cold weather will continue. Clouds will dominate from Vorarlberg to the Waldviertel, in the congested areas…

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Pain in the limbs and extreme fatigue – that’s how Angélique Coetzee, chairwoman of the South African Medical Association, describes the cases of infection with the new Omicron variant detected so far in her home country. She says symptoms are “mild but unusual,” with none of the patients so far complaining of loss of smell or taste, for example. “There is currently no evidence for a change in disease severity,” said Christian Drosten, chief virologist at Berlin’s Charité hospital, as well. However, he said, it is too early to make…

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The new Corona variant Omicron is causing headaches not only because of its spread, but also because of its name. Over the weekend in Geneva, the World Health Organization (WHO) explained why it chose this particular Greek letter as the name for variant B.1.1.529 when it classified it as a concern: it was to avoid misunderstanding and stigmatization. The UN health agency moved some time ago to gradually name emerging variants using the Greek alphabet. This was done to prevent the places where mutants first appear from being used as…

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Austrian travel returnees from South African countries are to be identified. They must show a negative PCR test and enter a ten-day quarantine. The Austrian Armed Forces are inspecting and keeping an eye on transfer airports, Ö1’s “Morgenjournal” reported Sunday. The tightening of entry requirements has been in effect since Saturday. South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia and Eswatini have been classified as virus variant areas. Entry from these countries is prohibited. In addition, a landing ban has been imposed on flights from these seven African countries. Strict requirements…

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The Philippines has imposed travel restrictions on seven more countries as it updated its “red list” effective November 28, Malacañang announced Sunday. Acting presidential spokesperson Karlo Nograles announced that those added to the “red list” or the list of areas considered as high-risk for COVID-19 are Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Netherlands, Switzerland, Belgium, Italy. Travel restrictions in these seven countries will be until December 15. In a statement, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said the following countries are now under the red list: South Africa Botswana Namibia Zimbabwe Lesotho Eswatini Mozambique…

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Advent is a special time for many families. Contemplative mood, anticipation of Christmas, the smell of cookies and festive music characterize the time. But the Advent wreath is also an important pre-Christmas custom. Traditionally, many people weave it from fir branches and decorate it with four candles. On each Sunday in Advent, one more is lit. The Christmas wreath represents the remaining days until Christmas Eve and symbolizes the solemnity of this special time. The history of the Advent wreathThe Wichern Advent wreath – or: how it all began…But where…

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In the Netherlands, 61 airline passengers from South Africa have tested positive for coronavirus. The tests were taken upon arrival at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam, the Dutch health authority GGD announced today. The passengers arrived on two flights from South Africa, according to the statement. In addition to the 61 positive results, there were 531 negative coronavirus tests, it said. Those who tested positive would be housed in a quarantine hotel near the airport, the authority further explained. Investigations are now underway to determine whether they were infected with the…

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Step by step: this is how the booster vaccination is documented in your green passport. The vaccination certificate is available for download. A good one million Austrians have already had the third prick. People who have received a Corona vaccination in Austria are automatically issued an EU-compliant vaccination certificate. How do I get my vaccination certificate?If you don’t have an app on your phone, you can easily get your current vaccination certificate via your e-vaccination certificate online at https://www.gesundheit.gv.at/ or https://gruenerpass.gv.at/ (“Download certificates”). With cell phone signature, you can log…

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The spread of a new potentially dangerous variant of coronavirus in southern Africa has caused international concern. Experts fear that variant B.1.1.529, aka Omikron, could be highly contagious because of an unusually large number of mutations and could also more easily penetrate the protective shield of vaccines. Pharmaceutical company Biontech is looking into a possible adaptation of its mRNA vaccine. “We understand the concern of experts and have immediately initiated investigations into variant B.1.1.529,” a Biontech spokesman said Friday. “The variant is clearly different from previously observed variants as it…

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