In view of the different situation in the federal states, the government is considering a further regionalization of the corona measures. In fact, the data show regional differences, but no scope for easing. The 7-day incidence is over 200 in almost all countries and thus well above the target of 50 mentioned in mid-January. Vienna is the current problem child with a new high among intensive care patients. Infections are also increasing in Tyrol.
A look at the course of the infection shows how quickly the tide can turn in the pandemic. Because the second wave last autumn hit Vorarlberg particularly badly, with almost 851 infections per 100,000 inhabitants on November 12th. Vorarlberg is now the only federal state with an incidence below 100 (exactly 62) and the test region for opening up gastronomy and cultural establishments.
Heavy utilization of intensive care units in Vienna
Exactly the opposite is the situation in Vienna: the capital got through the second wave of infections comparatively well (with a maximum incidence of 443). Now Vienna (also because of the widespread distribution of the British virus variant) is again at 314 and, in the third wave, together with Salzburg (306), is the first federal state with an incidence of over 300. The heavy utilization of intensive care units is also a cause for concern in the capital: As of Monday, 165 Covid patients in Vienna are dependent on intensive care – more than at the height of the second wave of infections in November.
Vienna is followed by Burgenland with a 7-day incidence of 259 and Lower Austria (258), which means that the heavily populated eastern region has so far been hardest hit by the third wave. These three countries are above the Austrian average of 236. The latest incidence values in Tyrol were comparatively low. However, that also changed last week – Tyrol now also has over 200 new infections per 100,000 inhabitants within seven days (212 to be precise). In Upper Austria there are 205. Carinthia and Styria are initially the only federal states besides Vorarlberg with a 7-day incidence below 200 (185 and 184, respectively). However, this is also well above the incidence value of 50, which the government had announced as a target in mid-January before further opening steps. (apa)