The Austrian ski resort Ischgl is suspected to be corona infections all over Europe. One country raised the alarm - but initially there was no response.
- Austria is fighting the coronavirus pandemic.
- Popular winter sports resorts in Tyrol and Carinthia have been completely closed off.
- In a popular location, the new coronavirus Sars-CoV-2 * is said to have spread particularly among ski vacationers.
Munich - You were skiing in Ischgl (Austria) and went there by coach? Due to suspicions of corona, the District Office Ostalbkreis (Baden-Württemberg) has launched an urgent call. Around 200 people were in coaches in Ischgl and could have been infected with the corona virus:
"Participants on ski trips to Ischgl last Saturday (March 7, 2020) should report to the health department and stay home tomorrow (editorial note: March 13).
Last Saturday, March 7, 2020 there were ski trips from various bus companies from the Ostalb district to Ischgl. In the meantime, participants of the excursions have tested positive for the corona virus. The test results were sent to the Health Department of the Ostalbkreis this evening. "
The district office has specially set up an email at ischgl@ostalbkreis.de . Affected people can also contact the Health Department by phone at 07361 503-1901.
Ischgl identified as a hotspot for corona infections
Austria has taken drastic steps to contain the coronavirus * in the past few days. The Tyrolean ski resort of Ischgl ended its winter season prematurely on March 12, after more and more corona infections had become known and Tyrol had ordered the ski area to be closed for two weeks. An explosive situation had already emerged days before. Was the location in the ski area misjudged?
Iceland declared a state of emergency on March 7, after a man (50) and a woman (70) were found to have contracted Covid-19 lung disease in Austria or Italy. Ischgl in Tyrol was declared a risk area and travelers who came home from February 29 were quarantined.
On March 7, a bartender (36) tested positive for the coronavirus in the “Kitzloch” after several visitors to the après-ski pub showed symptoms. The state of Tyrol downplayed the matter.
"From a medical point of view, a transmission of the corona virus to guests of the bar is rather unlikely," Anita Luckner-Hornischer from the Tyrolean State Medical Directorate informed in a press release. And further: "In the sense of maximum transparency and clarification for all bar visitors, from 15.2. until 7.3. In this bar were and are currently showing flu-like symptoms, the opportunity to contact the 1450 telephone health advice service and clarify their state of health. "
On March 10, the bar in Ischgl was officially blocked by the state of Tyrol.
Many ski vacationers from Scandinavia have become infected in Austria
The Danish and Norwegian health authorities see Austria as the main source country, reports orf.at. Many Scandinavians would have been infected during a skiing holiday in Austria. In Denmark, 265 of the 785 sufferers in Austria were infected. Norway quantifies 459 out of 907 total cases of sick holidaymakers across Austria (as of March 14, 2020).
Germans tested positive after Ischgl vacation
The Ischgl ski area is also popular with Germans. In addition to hotel guests, winter sports enthusiasts also make small groups for a day trip by bus to the ski area in Tyrol. Returnees have tested positive for the corona virus in the past few days. In addition to the Ostalb district in Baden-Württemberg , a “cluster” with 80 cases occurred in Hamburg on Friday. Media reports that in Hesse , Rhineland-Palatinate and North Rhine-Westphalia, skiers from Ischgl were among those who tested positive. The consequences of an infection chain are fatal.
An anesthetist at the Salzburg University Hospital (LKH) was infected with coronavirus, it was announced on Saturday. The doctor got infected during his skiing holiday in Ischgl. 84 people must be in quarantine. In total, the doctor had contact with 18 patients, 53 nurses, three flight paramedics and a helicopter pilot, reports kurier.at .
Tirol rejects criticism
The state of Tyrol rejects criticism of the late measures, according to orf.at. One reacted immediately after secure data was available.
Corona virus in Austria: numerous ski vacationers have been infected with Covid-19.
© dpa / Jakob Gruber
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