The corona virus is now causing an extreme increase in intensive care patients in Austria.
The British mutation is speeding up the process, and easing could soon be lifted.
Vienna - Although the corona virus continues to spread unchecked in Germany, Europe and the world, many citizens can currently look forward to the first easing of the corona pandemic and within the second wave.
While Germany started opening measures on March 8, Austria has also tried to take a step back to normal in the past few weeks.
But now the number of intensive care patients is suddenly exploding.
Corona in Austria: number of intensive care patients explodes
As oe24.at reported on Monday, the number of corona patients who have to be treated in the intensive care unit has increased by more than 23 percent within just two weeks.
In comparison, the number of infected people who are admitted to the hospital but not transferred to the intensive care unit has risen by almost eleven percent.
As the portal quotes, among other things, the Society for Anesthesiology, Resuscitation and Intensive Care Medicine (ÖGARI), it is a "worrying increase".
A specific reason for the explosion in the numbers is not given, but the British mutation plays an "undoubtedly important role".
Corona in Austria: mutation fills intensive care units - will the “crisis mode” soon follow?
ÖGARI President Klaus Markstaller confirms to oe24.at that the mutation plays an important role in the utilization of intensive care units.
“The significantly easier transferability from person to person and the higher number of reproductions of this variant has meanwhile been comprehensively proven by scientific evidence.
And an increase in infections naturally also leads to greater stress on the intensive care units, ”says Markstaller.
The doctor also explains that this trend must be observed in the coming period.
If the numbers do not settle down soon, “the crisis mode must be switched even more strongly”.
One possibility is, for example, to postpone operations that are not essential for life.
Corona in Austria: Thousands demonstrate against measures - despite easing
The demonstrations against the measures in the coronavirus pandemic on Saturday in Vienna are unlikely to help ease the number of infections.
As the police explain, thousands of people gathered.
On their protest march through the capital of Austria, the demonstrators disregarded the rules of distance, many did not wear a mouth and nose cover.
Although the corona measures in the country were eased considerably in February, many citizens are still dissatisfied with the government's crisis management.
Among other things, the reopening of restaurants was called for.
The corona tests for schoolchildren, which enable them to take part in on-site lessons, are also criticized.
A corona incident is currently making headlines in Austria.
A nurse has died after a corona vaccination, and a colleague is said to be in hospital with a pulmonary embolism.