Covid-19 remains a threat: hospital stays due to influenza!

Covid-19 remains a threat: hospital stays due to influenza!

In Austria, the situation surrounding COVID-19 remains tense. According to vol.at, the virus causes more hospital stays than influenza. The situation is particularly serious for older people and high-risk patients. Markus Zeitlinger, Head of Clinical Pharmacology at MedUni Vienna, appeals to the population to avoid recklessness and points out the importance of vaccinations, tests and early treatment.

SARI dashboard data shows that COVID-19 accounted for 31% of hospitalizations in week 42, while influenza accounted for just 0.2%. These figures highlight the ongoing danger of the virus, which, despite many advances in vaccination, continues to pose serious health risks.

Recommendations for risk reduction

Covid-19 death statistics for 2024 show that there were 1,212 deaths from SARS-CoV-2, which is alarming compared to other causes such as breast cancer and influenza. While most children experience mostly symptom-free or mild cases, the risks for older people are significant. In people over 60 years of age, around 14% experience severe disease, and in very old people it is even around 5% with life-threatening complications.

The STIKO recommends vaccinations from the age of 12 to reduce the risk of serious illnesses, especially for people over 60 and people with chronic illnesses. In addition, timely testing is necessary to apply antiviral therapies such as nirmatrelvir/ritonavir within five days of the onset of symptoms, which can reduce hospital admissions by around 50%.

About the pandemic

The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) provides information about COVID-19 and the underlying mechanisms on its website. According to RKI, SARS-CoV-2 is a coronavirus that has been occurring worldwide since 2020. The pandemic left behind numerous waves of infections until the endemic phase was reached in Germany, with most of the illnesses occurring in the population under 60 years of age. The average age of the deceased is over 80 years.

The first vaccines were available at the end of 2020, and 75% of the German population had been basic immunized by February 2022. Rising immunity has led to a decline in fatalities, but COVID-19 remains a serious health risk, particularly for vulnerable groups.

Long-term consequences and post-COVID

The survey conducted by Statista shows that many people are suffering from the effects of post-/long-Covid. This survey examines the extent to which those affected or their relatives suffer from long-term impairments caused by COVID-19. The results of the survey, published on March 31, 2023, will continue to be vital for understanding the long-term consequences of the pandemic.

Overall, COVID-19 remains a serious health threat that requires continued attention and prevention measures to protect the most vulnerable and ensure the health of the entire population.