The willingness to test in Austria has declined dramatically in recent weeks – it is therefore becoming increasingly difficult to estimate the actual infection rate in the country. The reported number of corona cases currently represents only a fraction of new infections – which is why predictive experts for the first time do not dare to predict the number of cases for the coming week. However, a trend can be predicted.
It had already become clear earlier that it will become increasingly difficult to estimate the development of the corona situation in the coming period. Lifting the quarantine now has an extra impact on the testing behavior of the population, so that a serious estimate of the new infections can no longer be made. An “increasing bias” in the number of corona cases is being signaled. For this reason, “the focus is instead on a qualitative assessment” of the case number trend, according to the forecasting experts.
It is already clear that the upcoming forecasts from experts will not include predictions about the number of cases.
Trend prediction still possible
However, the number of corona patients in hospitals and wastewater analyzes still offer the possibility to draw conclusions about the infection process in Austria – and this is likely to decrease further. The infection dynamics are still held back by seasonal effects and reduced social contacts during the holiday period, according to the experts.
The number of corona patients in hospitals is also likely to fall further – in the area of normal care, at the end of the two-week forecast period on August 17, an occupancy rate in the range of 777 to 1240 occupied beds is expected across Austria, with an average of 981 beds. In intensive care units, occupancy rates are likely to fall from 86 to 50 to 83 (average 65) over the same period.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
