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COVID-19 RULES

Delta variant: How worried should people be in Austria?

As cases of the Delta variant continue to rise in Austria, Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz (ÖVP) is preparing to meet with the coronavirus task force to determine the next steps.

Delta variant: How worried should people be in Austria?
Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz has warned people not to become complacent amid the threat of the Delta variant. Photo: JOHN THYS / POOL / AFP

In the UK, cases of the Delta variant are rising significantly, with reports that the country is now recording more than 40,000 cases per day – the highest rate since January.

However, deaths remain low compared to previous waves of Covid-19, which is mostly being attributed to the country’s vaccination roll out with more than 60 per cent of people aged over 18 fully vaccinated.

In the USA, cases of the Delta variant are growing in the midwestern and southern states – regions with some of the lowest vaccination rates in the country.

But overall cases remain low compared to the peak in January and around 55 per cent of all Americans are fully vaccinated against Covid-19.

Austria’s vaccination rate is at almost 50 per cent but cases are now rising again. What does this mean and should people be worried?

What is happening in Austria?

The Austrian government coronavirus task force will meet on Thursday 15th July to discuss the rising case numbers and the Delta variant. 

ORF reports that Kurz wants to consider the impact of returning travellers and night time gastronomy on the epidemiological situation in Austria.

Der Standard is reporting that a tightening of measures or the abandonment of previously announced further easing could be announced following the task force meeting.

MAPS: Where are Austria’s new coronavirus hotspots?

Although the number of Covid-19 cases in Austria is still low compared to other countries, cases are rising again, leading to concerns within the government. 

Health Minister Wolfgang Mückstein (Greens) yesterday wrote on Twitter that 90 per cent of all new infections in Austria can now be traced to the Delta variant.

Mückstein described the increase as a “cause for concern” that could lead to an increase in hospitalisations. He said short term countermeasures were needed while calling on people in Austria to get vaccinated.

On Wednesday 14th July, Kurz and Mückstein specifically appealed to the younger generation to get vaccinated as they are the most at-risk group for the new strain of the virus.

Kurz has also been advocating for personal responsibility instead of state measures during a trip to the USA this week.

The Austrian government currently plans to end the mask mandate on 22nd July, with exceptions including public transport, supermarkets, hospitals and care homes. 

What are the experts saying?

Der Standard reports that Thomas Szekeres, President of the Medical Association, is calling for the use of FFP2 masks indoors to be compulsory and describes them as a “harmless measure” that prevents infection.

Szekeres is a member of the government coronavirus task force and has expressed concerns about weaknesses in the current 3-G (tested, vaccinated or recovered) strategy in Austria.

The Wiener Zeitung reports that Thomas Czypionka, a physician and health economist at the Institute for Higher Studies, says it is too early to assess the effectiveness of the Covid-19 vaccination against the Delta variant.

The report adds that some fully vaccinated people in Israel are still being infected with the virus, and in Austria 314 cases have been recorded in people that are fully vaccinated, including 16 deaths.

The Local spoke to Fabian Valka, Researcher Mathematical Modeling and Machine Learning at vektorraum, about the relaxation of measures earlier this month who said the lifting of the mask mandate in Austria had the potential to increase the number of cases.

Valka, a co-author of the Covid-19 Model for Austria for Imperial College London, said: “Personally, I think that we’ll probably need to reintroduce many currently lifted interventions in Austria to stop the next wave of cases, hospitalisations, and deaths.”

READ MORE: Austria to introduce on-the-spot fines for breaching 3G rule

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COVID-19 TESTS

Reader question: Where can I get tested for Covid-19 in Austria?

Since the beginning of May, street testing sites have no longer been available - and free antigen tests are becoming harder to find in Austrian pharmacies. So, what should you do if you suspect you have Covid or need a test?

Reader question: Where can I get tested for Covid-19 in Austria?

In theory, the Austrian Health Ministry’s instructions for dealing with a possible Covid-19 infection are quite simple: stay at home, reduce contacts, wear an FFP2 mask if necessary, and call the health hotline 1450.

Then, an infection would be confirmed via a test sent by the health hotline or, according to the ministry, after using a test in one of the so-called Teststraße, specific locations dedicated to offering the free Covid-19 tests, either via a swab in the nose or mouth.

READ ALSO: Everything that changes in Austria in May 2023

However, in practice, implementing these guidelines is proving to be difficult in Austria. At the end of April, all test lanes and gargle boxes were discontinued, which has made it challenging for individuals to get tested for Covid-19. When calling the health hotline, many employees say they are overloaded and have no more testing capacity, according to Austrian media reports.

Even in pharmacies, the stocks of antigen or PCR tests are going down every day. The offer for five free antigen tests per person per month was extended until June 30th, but supplies have been low for weeks, according to Austrian pharmacists.

The demand for testing is high, given the current infection numbers. On average, around 650 new infections are reported every day, with the number of unreported cases increasing from day to day, as shown by a comparison with the figures from wastewater monitoring, Der Standard reported.

READ ALSO: Reader question: Do I still have to wear a face mask due to Covid-19 rules in Austria?

How can I get tested in Austria?

Despite the difficulties, every month, in addition to the five rapid antigen tests – if you can get hold of them at a pharmacy – each person is also entitled to five free PCR tests. However, how to get them varies from state to state in Austria.

In Vienna, as part of the “Everyone gargles!” campaign, Viennese citizens can pick up five gargle tests at all Bipa stores. The sample can then be returned to one of the collection points (including Rewe stores, gas stations, and participating pharmacies).

The free PCR tests can also be done in pharmacies all over Austria, which seems to work well. Viennese people can split the five free PCR tests, taking about two tests in pharmacies and doing three “Alles gurgelt!” tests, for example.

READ ALSO: Austria to drop all Covid restrictions by the end of June

To simplify the process of getting tested for Covid-19, registering for a PCR test at the pharmacy at oesterreich-testet.at can help shorten and streamline the process.

However, many testing sites also offer testing without pre-registration.

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