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MAPS: Where are Austria's coronavirus hotspots?

The Local Austria
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MAPS: Where are Austria's coronavirus hotspots?
Where are Austria's current coronavirus hotspots? CHRISTOF STACHE / AFP

Coronavirus infections are again on the rise in Austria. Here are the current hotspots.

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At the end of January and through the start of February, Austria's seven-day incidence rate was hovering around 100 per 100,000 inhabitants. 

Since the middle of February however it has been on the rise. 

The seven-day incidence, or  the number of new infections with the coronavirus in the past seven days per 100,000 inhabitants, rose to 165.8 as at March 4th. 

Even in the past few days, the number of infections has risen rapidly.

The districts of Hermagor (665 infections per 100,000 residents) and St. Johann im Pongau (480) are currently hardest hit. 

The British variant, which is particularly strong here, means people are being found to be contagious even after 10 days of quarantine, according to Austria's Kurier newspaper.

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Wiener Neustadt is another hotspot.

At the other end of the scale are Innsbruck-Stadt (42) and Innsbruck-Land (43), Rust (51) and the city of Krems (52).

Steep increases in Lower Austria and Burgenland

Austria's nationwide seven-day incidence of 165.8 is driven by new infections in the east of the country, after last week being primarily driven by infections in the western states of Lower Austria and Burgenland. 

Lower Austria (207.3 infections per 100,000) and Salzburg (204.9) both had infection rates above 200, while Vienna was tapping on the door with 184. 

The lowest infection numbers are in Vorarlberg (73.8) and Tyrol (107.3). 

The following map, correct as at March 3rd and based on official numbers, shows where the infection rates are the highest. 

Why are infections on the rise? 

In an interview with Austria's Der Standard newspaper on Friday, February 26th, Health Minister Rudolf Anschober said the stronger the rise, the less likely it is that there will be openings in the short term. 

Anschober said it was unlikely the rise in infections was totally connected to the relaxation measures introduced at the beginning of February, and was more likely to be driven by the rise of the British mutation of the virus.

In Vienna, the British variant is now more dominant than known variants of the virus. 

READ MORE: British coronavirus mutation now dominant in Vienna

In eastern Austria this more contagious variant already accounts for well over 50 percent of new infections.

He also said some of the rise in reported infections could be down to more testing.

Austria has promised to allow restaurants with terraces to open from March 27th nationwide - and from March 15th in Vorarlberg. 

The openings are conditional on infection rates remaining low. 

Explained: Everything you need to know about Austria’s plan to ease lockdown

 

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