Almost every second case is said to be an omicron case
Coronavirus
The Omikron share in CoV infections is now estimated by state statisticians at 40 percent. In mid-January, the experts expect that the Omikron wave in Salzburg will unfold its full force. The Salzburg infectiologist Richard Greil urges preparation.
Almost every second CoV case in the state of Salzburg is now on the Omikron variant of the coronavirus. The number of Omicron cases rose from 280 to 440 from Thursday to Friday. In Flachau (Pongau), for example, there are already several clusters that, according to the State of Salzburg, are related to the new virus variant.
Studies: “Mild course, but more infectious”
A look at previously affected European countries shows that the Omikron wave is coming much faster than the previous one. In Great Britain, for example, you can see that it took just 15 days for the virus variant to literally roll over the country with up to 100,000 new infections a day. British studies suggest, however, that the course of the disease is much milder. Say Omikron takes you to the hospital much less often than Delta. It is still unclear whether this will also be the case in Salzburg.
“Omicron cases so far mostly in boys”
“We don’t yet know whether this will be a more favorable outcome. This is very much related to the fact that in Great Britain, Denmark, South Africa etc. the infection has not yet penetrated the older risk group, but has occasionally occurred in younger people, where we expect a milder course from the outset. But you can already see a quadrupling of the hospitalization rate in Great Britain, “says infectiologist Richard Greil from the University Hospital Salzburg. In Salzburg the vaccination rate is also significantly lower in Great Britain and Denmark.
Omicron wave expected for January
In the middle of January, the experts expect that the Omikron wave in Salzburg will unfold its full force. In order for the hospitals to be able to withstand this, the infection process in the schools must above all, demands the Salzburg-controlled infectiologist Richard Greil.
“Protecting children in order to protect others”
In addition to the hospitalization rate, the higher number of simultaneously infected people and contact persons in quarantine is likely to push hospitals to their limits. “It WILL be very important that. Especially in kindergartens and schools, the infection is prevented by young students, because a lot of single mothers or families with small children play a central role in the hospitals,” said Greil. Since the rapid spread of the new coronavirus variant can hardly be stopped, relaxation of the quarantine rules is already being considered at the federal level.
Appeal: keep your distance, wear a mask
Intended for the OmikronWelle, buried by State Medical Director Petra Juhasz for mid-January, she appeals to avoid crowds as much as possible on New Year’s Eve, to keep your distance and to wear an FFP2 mask.