International COVID-19 Megathread

[Tender Branson]

This is making waves in newspapers abroad it seems ...

https://twitter.com/FT/status/1247143130597666819

Not sure if this is already a good idea.

Kurz and the Greens' crisis management has been pretty good so far, but I'd wait another month or so to gradually open up the economy again.

[Tender Branson]

What we’ll look like (after the lockdown, before the next hairdresser appointment):



(I’m the guy in 3rd row, left)

[Tender Branson]

30 deaths here yesterday, highest number ever ...

But the number of hospitalisations and in ICU did not change a whole lot.

[Tender Branson]

295 dead as of today (+22 since yesterday).

The number hospitalized and in ICUs has fallen slightly.

The number of official recoveries will soon surpass the number of registered active cases ...

Both around 7000 by the weekend.

[Tender Branson]

The Austrian Red Cross/SORA institute has conducted a survey among 1.500 Austrians to detect the real number of infected and to pin down the suspected "dark number" cases:

In Austria at the beginning of April there were between 10,200 and 67,400 people infected with the SARS-Cov-2 coroan virus in addition to the sick in hospitals, the most likely value being 28,500 infected. This is the result of a representative sample survey of 1,544 Austrians, as ÖVP Education Minister Heinz Faßmann announced today.

The aim of the tests was to check the number of unreported cases of coronavirus infections. The study makes it possible to estimate the prevalence of acute coronavirus infections among people living in Austria who are not in hospitals for the period beginning of April 2020, said the two managing directors of the social research institute SORA, Günther Ogris and Christoph Hofinger at a press conference.

Of the 1,544 people tested for the sample, 0.32 percent were positive. Around 28,500 people are allocated to the population. Taking into account the fluctuation range, there was a 95 percent probability that between 0.12 and 0.76 of Austrians were infected with SARS-Cov-2 in the period April 1 to 6, or between 10,200 and 67,400 in absolute numbers.

Random selection of participants

The upper range of the interval is therefore significantly higher than the previously known number of infected people, which were largely determined by testing suspected cases. According to official figures, there were between 10,500 and 12,200 infected between April 1 and 6.

The study was carried out on behalf of the Ministry of Science by the social research institute SORA, which carries out the selection of the sample and the evaluation, in cooperation with the Red Cross, the Medical University of Vienna and other institutions.

The selection of the participants for the sample examination was made purely by chance from public telephone directories. In addition, randomly generated numbers were called by the computer and included in the sample. The only requirement was that the number of study participants per federal state exactly corresponds to the ratio of the respective national population to the total population.

https://orf.at/#/stories/3161377

Good to know. Seems the shadow number of infected is not all too big.

[Tender Branson]

24 more deaths yesterday, but the number of hospitalized persons and in ICU has dropped a lot yesterday.

The number of new cases rose by less than 300 (+2%), but tested recoveries ballooned by 800.

Active cases dropped by 500 yesterday !

Still, masks will be made mandatory next Tuesday for public transportation as well and first shops will open again (also with masked shopping only).

[Tender Branson]

A study in the „Kurier“ newspaper shows that of Austria’s 300+ deaths - all but one person - was over the age of 50.

The single person under the age of 50 was a 20-something woman with significant health and immune system problems for years.

Almost all deaths are in the 65-90 age groups.

[Tender Branson]

Well, we're reached an idiotic situation when the police is overzealously fining people for having a walk in the woods, but when a plane with aid arrived at the Warsaw International Airport, the law enforcement had no problems with a crowd of onlookers gathering for the occasion.

Yeah, absurd.

Most people here are fined in the crowded big cities: people are out in the sunny weather and do not keep the 2m distance from each other.

On the other hand, you can do what you want here in the rural areas (there’s no police around anyway).

You are advised not to go paragliding (like a young dude did yesterday) and crashed with his paraglider into a tree, prompting a big masked rescue effort with more than 10 mountain rescuers + helicopter involved.

Because it strains emergency services.

https://www.heute.at/s/corona-paragleiter-muss-von-heli-geborgen-werden-59570642

On the other hand, the roof is falling on a lot of people’s heads at home right now ...

[Tender Branson]

Sweden:

https://twitter.com/baekdal/status/1248276592830414848

[Tender Branson]

Well, we're reached an idiotic situation when the police is overzealously fining people for having a walk in the woods, but when a plane with aid arrived at the Warsaw International Airport, the law enforcement had no problems with a crowd of onlookers gathering for the occasion.

Yeah, absurd.

Most people here are fined in the crowded big cities: people are out in the sunny weather and do not keep the 2m distance from each other.

On the other hand, you can do what you want here in the rural areas (there’s no police around anyway).

You are advised not to go paragliding (like a young dude did yesterday) and crashed with his paraglider into a tree, prompting a big masked rescue effort with more than 10 mountain rescuers + helicopter involved.

Because it strains emergency services.

https://www.heute.at/s/corona-paragleiter-muss-von-heli-geborgen-werden-59570642

On the other hand, the roof is falling on a lot of people’s heads at home right now ...

It really should be recommended that the people get as much fresh air as possible, provided they can do it safely. Having to stay at home 24/7 can take quite a tool. What's the harm if I decide to take a walk in the woods? What danger do I pose?

Haven't been fined, btw, but you hear a lot of stories. You can always refuse to accept the ticket and go to court, which gives you good chances at dismissal. If ever stopped, I'll do just that.

If you go into the woods alone and nobody else makes a sound, are you getting noticed ?

Yes, by the 👮‍♀️ Police 🚔. Because they have drones to find you and fine you.



I would also challenge such a fine in court. But I guess nobody gets fined anyway, unless you are encountered in a group of people.

[Tender Branson]

Austria - Saturday morning update:

  13.672 positive cases (Friday morning: 13.404, +268, +2.0%)
    1.036 hospitalized (1.032, +4) - of which:
       246 in ICUs (261, -15)
       337 dead (319, +18)

    6.604 recovered (6.064, +540)

140.975 tests performed

https://bmi.gv.at/news.aspx?id=4A7171477A51625143334D3D

Active cases and recovered cases now almost even at 7.000 each.

[Tender Branson]

A Vienna fruit market today:

Image Link

Police: wear masks, keep 2m distance from each other !

People: Let’s give a sh*t.

[Tender Branson]

Ursula von der Leyen now urging Germans not yet book vacation for the summer months. I think this is dangerous. Southern European countries like Italy, Greece, Spain, Portugal and Croatia heavily depend on the tourism industry. These countries, are have been struggling already, can't afford to sit one summer out. It's just not possible by any means. With all due respect, we need to be careful that the "medicine" isn't more deadly than the virus itsself.

Tourism is a big share of GDP, but not dominating. It's somewhere between 5-20% for each country.

And while the low number of German tourists would hurt badly, this can be compensated by "patriotic" holiday making of domestic people. For example, the average Austrian should vacation in Austria this summer. And not only once, but twice or three times. That way, the losses would not be as tough, as experts have said.

[Tender Branson]

Austrian Sunday morning update (comparison to Saturday morning):

All positive cases: 13.945 (+273, +2%)

Patients hospitalized: 1.035 (-1) - of which:
Patients in ICU: 243 (-3)

Deaths: 350 (+13)

Recoveries: 6.987 (+383)

Tests conducted: 144.877

Link

There are now more recovered cases than active cases.

[Tender Branson]

Austrian Easter Monday morning update (comparison to Sunday morning):

All positive cases: 14.080 (+135, +1%)

Patients hospitalized: 981 (-54) - of which:
Patients in ICU: 239 (-4)

Deaths: 368 (+18)

Recoveries: 7.343 (+356)

Tests conducted: 148.412

https://bmi.gv.at/news.aspx?id=4A7171477A51625143334D3D

There are now more recovered cases than active cases.

[Tender Branson]

Austria is a step further than Germany already.

Small shops are open since yesterday (with mask-wearing).

Today it was announced that Austria will also allow the Formula 1 race to take place in July (without visitors + the employees from the teams + drivers have to provide negative test results before the race).

Golf courses + track and field training + private aviation will be possible starting with May 1, as will shooting ranges - sports minister Kogler (Greens) announced.

[Tender Branson]

Austria: 393 deaths today (+9)

Germany: 3.500 (+300)

Yesterday was 3x more deadly in Germany than here and:

If you divide by 9, we have now the same number of deaths per capita.

Switzerland is more than twice as high, maybe even 3-times as high.

[Tender Branson]

Controversy about the re-opening of the economy and society:

Since Tuesday, small shops under 400m² are open again. Sports regulations are going to be relaxed.

But not all are happy.

Bigger shop owners and restaurants also want their businesses opened again, citing the priinciple of equality. Some have filed court cases.

Why should all home improvement stores (regardless of space) be open, but not bigger shops selling electronic articles like computers ?

Also, sports (such as football training) will be allowed again. The Austrian Football Association has given the Go ahead for the Bundesliga, the 2. Bundesliga and the Cup games. But all lower level games were cancelled, also the Women's Football League. Which is creating a big outcry.

[Tender Branson]

Yesterday: 17 deaths.

Hospitalisations dropped by a lot, from around 1.020 people to 960.

ICU patients increased slightly by a few people, but remains steady at around 240.

Austria has an ICU capacity of 3.000-4.000 people.

The number of recovered is now 9.000 - while the active cases have dropped to 5.000

[Tender Branson]

Friday morning update (comparison to Thursday morning):

All positive cases: 14.566 (+107, +0.7%)

Patients hospitalized: 909 (-58) - of which:
Patients in ICU: 227 (-11)

Deaths: 431 (+21)

Recoveries: 9.704 (+718)

Tests conducted: 162.816

https://www.ots.at/pressemappe/54/bundesministerium-fuer-inneres

More than twice as many recovered cases than active cases right now:

There are now 4.431 active cases (-632), 9.704 recoveries (+718) and 431 dead (+21).

[Tender Branson]

The situation in the healthcare system will now gradually return back to normal, the Green Health Minister Rudolf Anschober said today.

Meaning that the sinking hospitalisations will result in regularly scheduled surgeries again.

Previously, non-acute surgeries were postponed to make space for more Corona patients.

Also, schools will likely open again in early to mid-May ...

[Tender Branson]

Just came back earlier from a 40km bike tour.

An incredible amount of people were on the bike lanes in the afternoon !

Young moms and kids, some fathers, middle-aged and several old people too.

Austrians are turning into real fitness people right now. Probably they are aiming for 2 Gold medals at the 2021 Summer (!) Olympics ...

Also: the weather today and all week was great, construction trucks were on the way constantly, construction crews were on the way, people stuck at home were working on their homes and kids played outside.

If I didn’t go into a shop with a mask on as well today for some groceries, one could have thought it was a normal day ...

[Tender Branson]

Seen today in front of a Hofer supermarket:



Not sure what stuff the cat was going to buy, but at least the social distance of 2 meters was upheld by the animal ... (probably not wearing a mask though).

[Tender Branson]

Quarantine - Day 30:

[Tender Branson]

The number of people hospitalized or in ICU is dropping like a rock now:

https://www.ots.at/presseaussendung/OTS_20200418_OTS0012/aktuelle-zahlen-zum-corona-virus

+12 deaths yesterday.