Tyrolean virologist Dorothee von Laer has warned testing measures to combat the South African variant were not working, and were a “bit late”.    

As it stands, Austria’s vaccination strategy has been to make vaccines available to each of the country’s nine federal states, rather than focusing on specific areas. 

With concern rising however about the impact the mutations may have on possible steps towards opening, a targeted campaign may be a possible solution. 

The Schwaz district had a seven-day incidence of 173.1 on Tuesday, according to AGES. 

The state has been isolated due to the prevalence of the virus mutations. 

The village of Mayrhofen in Zillertal will be sealed off after 29 cases of the South African coronavirus mutation were found there.

READ MORE: Austrian village sealed off due to coronavirus mutation cluster

Von Laer has joined the governor of Tyrol Günther Platter and Green politician Gebi Mair in calling for  people living in the Schwaz area to be given priority vaccines, to enable the virus to be brought under control through herd immunity. 

Schwaz district captain Michael Brandl has said testing in Schwaz should be increased, as around 100 of the 238 active coronavirus cases are from people who display no symptoms. Requiring a negative corona test for skiing has helped increase willingness to test among the population. 

There are around 84,000 inhabitants in the district. The number of tests carried out so far is just under 50,000, according to Brandl.