Out is controversial – local experts disagree on end of quarantine

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The end of the coronavirus quarantine announced by the government is controversial among local experts: While epidemiologist Gerald Gartlehner believes the lifting is justified and proposes focusing on high-risk groups, other scientists, such as molecular biologist Ulrich Elling or virologist Norbert Novotny, are skeptical.

In particular, Gartlehner emphasized two points to the APA that advocate a retraction: The current corona variant BA.5 is so contagious that people who have not developed symptoms at the start of their infection are already infecting other people. Isolation would therefore have only a small impact on the pandemic. In doing so, one must take into account the reality that large parts of the population no longer support the measures.

The epidemiologist also pointed to other regions, such as the Scandinavian countries or Spain, which have not prescribed measures for a long time – and yet have a similar pandemic course to Austria with delays. Also the metropolis of Madrid, with eight million inhabitants, has withstood the latest wave without isolation or the obligation to wear a mask.

Gartlehner: Rasch fourth stab for vulnerable people
Gartlehner was much more in favor of protecting vulnerable people more and making sure they get a fourth vaccination soon. In addition, these people need to test several times a week during the respective corona waves to detect an infection early. Then you can often avoid a serious course with antiviral drugs.

Other experts saw it differently: “To avoid ambiguity: I am AGAINST lifting the quarantine. Let’s solve the staff shortage in healthcare, schools and elsewhere in a sustainable way. Let’s accept that this endemic situation is unsustainable. Listen there Anyone else? It’s also not about diving through one last Covid winter or one last wave, it’s about adapting to what will be a new reality for the time being,” molecular biologist Ulrich Elling wrote on Twitter.

Wagner warns of hospital overload
There, the microbiologist Michael Wagner also pointed out that “data from Denmark and Portugal show that the number of hospital admissions after BA.5 is significantly higher than BA.2”. This must be taken into account when making political decisions.

The virologist Norbert Nowotny also spoke out against an end to the quarantine. “We may take this step someday, but not right now,” he was quoted as saying in an info email from “Falter”. Because the number of infected people and patients being treated in hospitals is still high and could increase again by the end of the quarantine.

Complexity researcher for the end of the isolation obligation
The complexity researcher Peter Klimek, on the other hand, argued for the abolition of the insulation obligation, since several factors should be taken into account here. “Anyone who epidemiologically denies the feeling of isolation in the event of a disease like Covid-19 may equally well deny that the sky is blue. But there are also economic and socio-political considerations to take into account,” he told the Presse.

Other countries such as Spain and Great Britain have been following this path for months – “the hospitals are not torn there either. I think this step is currently possible in Austria without directly endangering the health system.” To find out if there is no danger yet, better monitoring is needed, says Klimek.

Source: Krone

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