Press release: 12.233
COVID-19
prevalence study: maximum 0.15% of Austrian population infected with
SARS-CoV-2
Vienna, 2020
Up to 10 823 people infected with SARS-CoV-2
With a sample size of 2 800 persons aged 16 years and
over living in private households, usable PCR samples were taken from
1 432 persons by means of mouth-nose-throat swabs. One of them tested
positive for the coronavirus SARS-CoV
Higher prevalence of 0.75% in risk areas
In communities with a relatively large number of known
coronavirus infected persons, the prevalence of 0.75% is significantly
higher than average, but still low in absolute numbers. This was the
result of an experimental study on SARS-CoV
According to experimental study, 4.71% of
people in risk communities have SARS-CoV-2 antibodies
According to extrapolation, 4.71% of the persons in
the 27 communities with a relatively high number of known coronavirus
infections had SARS-CoV
Fear of financial problems; for at-risk group, fear of infection is the main concern
The corona pandemic and its social and economic consequences
have an impact on the fears of the Austrian resident population. When
asked about possible consequences, 10% of the respondents in the COVID
The consequences that are most frequently feared differ according to the current situation of the respondents: Among families with pre-school age children (born in 2015 or later), the most common concern is financial problems (19%) and the second most common concern is an increase in conflicts (14%). Persons who belong to a risk group due to pre-existing health problems, on the other hand, are most often afraid that they themselves will fall seriously ill with coronavirus and that they will have to stay in hospital for this reason (12%), which was seen as a less likely consequence in all other groups (2%).
Persons with critical pre-existing conditions feel much worse psychologically
Slightly less than two thirds (64%) of the total Austrian population aged 16 and over living in private households reported a rather good mental well-being, i.e. they felt good spirits, peace or relaxation at least most of the time. Looking only at people with pre-school age children, 58% still reported good well-being. Among the persons with critical pre-existing conditions, who are thus classified as a risk group, only about one third (33%) stated that their mental well-being was good.
Measures to contain the pandemic largely considered appropriate
The overwhelming majority of respondents considered the measures taken to contain the pandemic to be adequate. 98% felt that quarantine in crisis areas was appropriate, and 97% each judged keeping a distance, the ban on events and the wearing of a face mask to be appropriate. On the other hand, 44% of those questioned considered the measure of leaving the house only in exceptional cases to be inappropriate – especially for people with pre-school age children (56%).
Detailed explanations (in German only) can be found
in the handout and
the presentation
for the press conference on 4 May 2020. Information on the survey procedure
is available on the websites for the COVID
Information
on methods, definitions: The COVID
In the experimental study on SARS-CoV
For further inquiries please contact Directorate
Social Statistics, Statistics Austria:
Matea PASKVAN, Tel.:
Media owner, producer and publisher:
STATISTICS AUSTRIA, Federal Institution under Public Law
1110 Vienna, Austria, Guglgasse 13, Tel.:
presse@statistik.gv.at
© STATISTICS AUSTRIA
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