Austria's Covid-19 Cases: Tracking The Numbers

Austria has seen a surge in Covid-19 cases, with the country of 8.9 million reporting more than 10,000 new infection cases daily. The country has entered a national lockdown, with soaring cases seeing the seven-day infection rate rise to 1,092 per 100,000 people.

Austria's seven-day infection rate rose to 1,092 per 100,000 people in November 2021

In response to the surge in cases, Austria implemented a new national lockdown on 22 November 2021. The lockdown was initially set to last for 10 days, with the possibility of an extension for up to 20 days if cases did not decrease sufficiently. Prior to the nationwide lockdown, two states in Austria, Salzburg and Upper Austria, had already triggered a range of restrictions, including a full lockdown with school closures and a curfew.

The rising infection rate in Austria was part of a broader trend across Europe, with countries like Germany, the Netherlands, and the Czech Republic also reimposing restrictions. The surge in cases was attributed to various factors, including the highly contagious nature of the virus and the easing of restrictions during the summer months.

To address the situation, the Austrian government took several measures, including encouraging vaccinations and implementing lockdown restrictions. Despite these efforts, there was scepticism about the effectiveness of the lockdown, particularly due to its limited scope, as it applied only to unvaccinated individuals and not the entire population.

Austria entered a national lockdown in November 2021

The national lockdown was initially set to last for 10 days, after which the effects would be assessed and the measures extended to a maximum of 20 days if cases had not decreased sufficiently. Two states in Austria, Salzburg and Upper Austria, had already triggered a range of restrictions, with the rules extended to apply to vaccinated people and a full lockdown from the following week that would see schools shut and a curfew imposed.

The new measures did not apply to children under 12 or people who had recently recovered from coronavirus, according to health minister Wolfgang Mueckstein. Those under the measures were banned from hotels, restaurants, theatres and ski lifts. Many officials, including in Mr Schallenberg's conservative party and the police, expressed doubts that the lockdown could be properly enforced as it only applied to part of the population.

Austria's lockdown was initially set to last 10 days

Two states in Austria, Salzburg and Upper Austria, had already triggered a range of restrictions, with the rules extended to apply to vaccinated people and a full lockdown from the following week that would see schools shut and a curfew imposed. The lockdown was met with protests, mostly from far-right groups.

Austria's seven-day infection rate had risen to 1,092 per 100,000 people, compared to 425 per 100,000 people in the UK. Deaths had also been rising, with Austria reporting 42 deaths on Saturday 20 November. The new measures would not apply to children under 12 or people who had recently recovered from coronavirus, health minister Wolfgang Mueckstein said.

Austria's lockdown was extended to a maximum of 20 days

Austria's seven-day infection rate had risen to 1,092 per 100,000 people, compared to 425 per 100,000 in the UK. Deaths were also rising, with Austria reporting 42 deaths on Saturday 20 November. On Friday, the country reported 15,809 new infections, an all-time high.

The new Austrian measures will not apply to children under 12 or people who have recently recovered from coronavirus, according to health minister Wolfgang Mueckstein. Those under the measures will be banned from hotels, restaurants, theatres and ski lifts.

Austria's lockdown was met with protests, mostly from far-right groups

The far-right groups protesting the lockdown included the Freedom Party, the anti-vaccine MFG party and the extreme-right Identitarians. Protesters rallied against coronavirus restrictions and mandatory COVID-19 passes needed to enter restaurants, Christmas markets or sports events, as well as mandatory vaccinations. Demonstrations against virus restrictions also took place in Switzerland, Croatia, Italy, Northern Ireland, Belgium and the Netherlands.

Austria's lockdown was implemented in response to soaring Covid-19 cases. The country of 8.9 million reported more than 10,000 new infection cases daily, with a seven-day infection rate of 1,092 per 100,000 people. Deaths had also been rising, with Austria reporting 42 deaths on Saturday 20 November. Hospitals in heavily hit states warned that intensive care units were reaching capacity.

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