Austria: Largest spike in COVID-19 cases in months reported September 3 /update 19

Event

Austrian health authorities announced on Thursday, September 3, the largest spike in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases since April 3. The 403 new cases reported brings the total nationwide number of active cases to 3466 with 28,372 in total being reported since the beginning of the pandemic. More than half of the new cases were reported to be from Vienna. A total of 735 people have been killed by the virus since the outbreak began. 

Austrian authorities have announced that face masks are compulsory in shops, banks, and post offices nationwide from July 24. Also, if a member of a religious community has visited a location abroad that is considered to be of high risk, all members of the community must also wear a face mask. If a member of a religious community tests positive for the virus, places of worship will also be ordered to close.

As of August 6, there have been 21,566 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country, and 719 associated fatalities. Further international spread of the virus is expected in the near term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Since then, human-to-human transmission of the virus has been confirmed.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, dry cough, and tiredness. Some patients may experience other symptoms such as body pains, nasal congestion, headache, conjunctivitis, sore throat, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell or a rash on skin or discoloration of fingers or toes. These symptoms (in most cases mild) appear gradually. Generally, most patients (around 80 percent) recover from the disease without being hospitalized.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease.