The ommicron wave in Austria appears to be leveling off again after declining numbers in recent days. This also helps the GECKO committee come up with a somewhat more optimistic forecast: the burden on hospitals is still huge, but it looks like the peak will soon be over. With a view to the autumn, however, it remains important to convince as many people as possible to have themselves vaccinated: the committee has drawn up proposals for this.
The trend in the number of infections is declining – and not just in Austria, as GECKO reports in its current Executive Report. A country comparison has shown that most governments have implemented a full opening of economic and social life, despite the recent stalling number of cases.
Rising temperatures are likely to play a major role again. In combination with a higher humidity, the spread of the virus should again be significantly reduced.
Slight easing in some states
However, this is not yet entirely clear: the situation in the hospitals is still “very tense”, the report shows. Due to the large number of staff shortages, many operations had to be postponed and departments and operating theaters were closed. The staff was “very exhausted at times”. However, there is also a glimmer of hope here: a slight easing is already discernible in some federal states.
The question now is how to deal with the slow vaccination progress. In the meantime, this has become increasingly moderate across Europe, as GECKO analyzes. The use of the so-called inactivated vaccine from the company Novavax did not really change that.
Vaccination: young people must be persuaded
According to GECKO, the key to convincing the skeptics to get vaccinated is information, information and more information: Especially for younger people, the topic of self-protection as a vaccination motive plays only a minor role, but there are major concerns about possible side effects and the safety of the vaccines – this can therefore be addressed accordingly. In addition, a severe course or even a long-term Covid illness can also affect this age group.
Above all, the opinion of experts and doctors could be the impetus for getting vaccinated after all – they enjoy the greatest confidence, alongside scientists and health authorities, when it comes to information about the virus.
Source: Krone
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