Austria is relaxing its entry requirements. As of this Tuesday, the 3-G rule applies again when crossing the border. This means that people who have not been vaccinated can also come back into the country if they can show a negative test. This is an important step for the tourism industry in order to be able to welcome as many guests as possible, not least from Germany, for the rest of the winter season.
The relief is part of a broader easing strategy. From March 5th, practically all corona restrictions should be lifted in Austria. Then there will only be an FFP2 mask requirement in certain parts of public life. The exception is Vienna, which initially wants to partially retain the 2-G rule, for example in gastronomy.
The seven-day incidence, which was last at around 2,200 cases per 100,000 inhabitants within a week, shows a downward trend. The situation in the clinics – especially in the intensive care units – is stable. (02/22/2022)
The nationwide incidence is falling again
The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) reports 125,902 positive tests within 24 hours. That is 33,315 fewer cases than on Tuesday a week ago, when 159,217 new infections were reported. The nationwide seven-day incidence falls to 1307 rounded from 1347 the previous day. The previous day’s value was slightly higher. 306 people died in connection with the virus. This increases the number of reported deaths to 121,603.
So far, more than 13.76 million corona tests have been positive in Germany. Experts assume a high number of infections that are not recorded in the RKI data. Test capacities and health authorities are therefore at the limit in many places, and contacts are only tracked to a limited extent. In addition, there is likely to be a larger number of people who no longer have their infection confirmed by a PCR test – the infection is therefore not included in the official statistics. That is why we use the SZ Corona Dashboard to show an average value from the reports of the past seven days, which is intended to compensate for fluctuations from day to day. You can find more information on this in the transparency blog, further data and graphics on the pandemic here. (02/22/2022)
Full-time employees in geriatric care should receive a corona bonus of up to 550 euros
According to a draft by the Ministry of Health, full-time employees in geriatric care should receive a corona bonus of up to 550 euros. “The bonus is to be paid to nurses who have performed outstandingly during the pandemic,” reports the Funke media group from the key issues paper by the Ministry of Health for the implementation of the nursing bonus in hospitals and in long-term care. These are, for example, nursing staff who were particularly stressed by the treatment of Covid patients, for example due to increased hygiene measures, an increased risk of infection or an increased need for care of infected people. (02/22/2022)
New study: Most corona deaths in the hospital died from the virus
A scientific analysis confirms that most of the deaths recorded in connection with Corona in Germany can be traced back to the virus itself. In 86 percent of the autopsied cases, Covid-19 was actually the underlying cause of death, according to one in the specialist magazine The Lancet published study. In only 14 percent of the cases examined was corona only the concomitant disease, as the researchers report.
The most common immediate cause of death was what is known as diffuse alveolar damage. Alveoli are deep air sacs in the lungs that ensure the exchange of blood and air. The scientists name multi-organ failure, i.e. the failure of several vital organs, as the second most common cause of death.
Among the 1095 autopsied dead men were represented almost twice as often as women. Most of the male Covid 19 deaths were between 65 and 69 and between 80 and 84 years old. Most of the women who died from Covid-19 were older than 85 years. The basis of the investigation by researchers at the RWTH Aachen University Hospital was the central register DeRegCOVID, which was launched in April 2020, for clinical autopsies of deceased Covid-19 patients. (02/21/2022)
End of isolation for corona infected people in England
Corona infected people in England will no longer have to isolate themselves in the future. The end of the government rule is part of the plan for “living with Covid” presented by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson in Parliament in London on Monday. The government is relying on infected people to behave like people with a cold on their own responsibility, said Johnson. This is possible thanks to the successful vaccination campaign. The peak of the omicron wave is also over.
From February 24th, those who test positive will no longer have to stay at home. Vaccinated contact persons will then no longer have to test themselves for the virus every day for a week, and unvaccinated contact persons will no longer have to self-isolate, as Johnson said. From April 1st, the free quick tests will also be discontinued. With the project, the Prime Minister is fulfilling the central demands of his Conservative Party. Experts have already criticized the plans in advance.
The government also no longer wants to financially support those infected with corona from day one with sick pay. That’s how compensation ends for workers in self-isolation, Johnson said. In addition, older and particularly vulnerable people in particular should be further protected. The Prime Minister emphasized that the pandemic is not over yet and that new virus variants cannot be ruled out. Health Minister Sajid Javid announced another vaccination – a “spring booster” – for over 75-year-olds, residents of old people’s homes and over 12-year-olds with immune deficiencies. (02/21/2022)
Australia is letting tourists into the country again
Australia has reopened its borders two years after the country was closed due to corona and has been welcoming tourists from all over the world for the first time since this Monday. Visitors who have been vaccinated twice can now take a quarantine-free holiday in the dreamland of many long-distance travellers. “The wait is over,” said Prime Minister Scott Morrison. The borders of Down Under were closed for 704 days, as Australian media calculated. Hardly any other western country pursued such a strict isolationist strategy.
According to the Tourism Australia tourist office, 9.5 million visitors came in 2019, bringing around 45 billion Australian dollars (28.5 billion euros) into the coffers. The important industry came to a virtual standstill due to the corona virus. Prime Minister Morrison bluntly called on guests: “Don’t forget to bring your money, because you will find many ways to spend it.” More than 1.2 million people from all parts of the world already have visas and can come, Morrison said. The media spoke of a “milestone” on the way to the country’s economic recovery.
An exception to the requirement of double vaccination is the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which is also approved but requires only one shot. A booster vaccination is not necessary and will not be in the future as things stand, Morrison recently emphasized. Tourists are now only required to take a PCR or antigen test within the first 24 hours of arrival, and they are not allowed to use public transport from the airport to their accommodation. The unvaccinated, on the other hand, must apply for an exemption and be in hotel quarantine upon arrival.
However, different states and territories have different rules, such as caps on international arrivals. These remain in force. Western Australia with the metropolis of Perth will not open its borders until March 3rd. (02/21/2022)