Nearly 30,000 people in Austria were on sick leave last week due to a corona infection – and the trend is increasing, the ÖGK warns. Now wastewater monitoring also shows a clear picture: since the outbreak of the Covid pandemic, the concentration of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater has never been as high as it is today.
After the abolition of quarantine, reporting requirements and free testing, wastewater monitoring is the most reliable means of determining the viral load in the country, that is, the systematic recording of the corona concentration in wastewater. And that goes without saying: an all-time record was reached at the end of November.
Wastewater values are skyrocketing
The graph below shows that in the past the viral load in wastewater was generally associated with the number of positive corona tests. Even after the reporting obligation and free testing have expired, it is clear that the number of people actually infected is currently at a low level. Indeed, wastewater monitoring has recently been expanded to 48 sewage treatment plants, covering approximately 58 percent of the population, according to the Ministry of Health.
Estimates based on wastewater values show that in Tyrol, for example, up to four percent of the total population is currently infected with SARS-CoV-2, as molecular biologist Ulrich Elling explains on X:
Mandatory testing in Viennese health institutions
Even though it is not mentioned in federal politics, the current corona wave has already led to the first regional tightened measures: the Vienna Health Association (WIGEV) has now made testing mandatory for symptomatic patients in all its facilities, even though the complaints were mildly, it was said on Tuesday.
Those who test positive are isolated and treated in a standardized manner. Protective measures such as masks are provided for WIGEV personnel when they come into contact with persons who have tested positive or are suspected of being infected. Areas with vulnerable patients are particularly protected. In general, there is of course no obligation to wear face masks or take Covid tests, as WIGEV emphasizes.
Expert: More masks, more vaccinations
Molecular biologist Elling continues here. He emphasizes that “viral load in wastewater is NOT the same as disease burden in the country” and expresses the hope that “second or more infections will no longer have such an impact”. Nevertheless, he calls for more “courage to wear a mask” and more political communication to increase vaccination rates.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
