With a view to autumn and winter, the state of Salzburg is preparing for four scenarios: from the end of the pandemic, which is considered highly unlikely, to the massive outbreak of a new, strong variant. This year they no longer want to be accused of having slept through another summer in preparation.
Country: Improve processes, prepare regulations
“We have been preparing for these scenarios since May, we are still in the detailed planning phase and are improving the processes we have everywhere. We are also preparing regulations that we may need in certain scenarios. There can be no talk of oversleeping here,” says the country’s coronavirus manager, Peter Schinnerl. According to state rescue commander Anton Holzer, the country is well prepared for a new wave.
Infectiologist Greil: “Don’t wait for the fourth vaccination”
Many questions in the population are currently revolving around the fourth sting: people who have been vaccinated three times are considering whether they should have another booster administered, wait for a new vaccine or are unsure whether they should be vaccinated a fourth time at all. “The fourth vaccination is very effective, also against the omicron variants that are currently available. It is certainly better to get vaccinated now than to wait and not know whether the new vaccine will be available in the foreseeable future,” says infectiologist and head of third medicine at Salzburg University Hospital, Richard Greil.
Vacation time fuels mutation events
The 7-day incidence in Salzburg is currently 511, which means that the health authorities have recorded the lowest value for many weeks. The numbers will start to rise again with those returning from vacation, expects infectiologist Greil: “If as many people are infected as is currently the case and there is an increase, there will be other variants. In order to keep this mutation process under control, vaccinations are a very important reason.” According to Greil, one has to prepare for vaccinations at regular intervals.
Age groups are currently equally affected
Almost 3,000 people in Salzburg have been infected with the corona virus over the past seven days. A look at the age groups shows that the number of infections is the same across all age groups from 15 to 85 year olds.