Austria reached

Tested positive: Two people infected with coronavirus in Tyrol

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(Bild: Christof Birbaumer/Kronen Zeitung)

The first two confirmed coronavirus cases have been reported in Austria. One man and one woman are infected, both are 24 years old and come from Italy. The two patients are a couple from the Bergamo area who had traveled to Innsbruck by car on Friday. "Those affected reacted correctly", explained Health Minister Rudolf Anschober (Greens). A permanent team has been set up at the Ministry of the Interior.

According to initial information, the woman probably lives and works in Innsbruck and her boyfriend wanted to visit her. Both had arrived at the hospital in Innsbruck on Monday evening after informing the control center. As announced at a press conference with Tyrolean Governor Günther Platter and Tyrolean Health Councillor Bernhard Tilg on Tuesday afternoon, the two patients initially tested positive for coronavirus in a first test. A second test confirmed these results.

Video: The press conference in full length

Quarantine until the weekend
The two were isolated at the clinic and are currently under observation. Both are "very cooperative" and "in good condition", explained Weiss. The woman had mild symptoms on Saturday and a slight fever on Sunday, according to Günter Weiss, Director of the Innsbruck University Clinic for Internal Medicine II. Her boyfriend had a slightly elevated temperature on Sunday and a slight fever on the following two days. "As of today (Tuesday, note), both are fever-free again," explained the doctor.

It is not yet clear exactly where the two of them became infected. "We are now systematically working through the case and trying to end the chain of infection," said Regional Medical Director Franz Katzgraber. The separate outpatient clinic for suspected coronavirus cases announced by the state of Tyrol is to be set up at the Innsbruck clinic and will start operating "in the next few days", said the regional health councillor.

"Those affected have reacted correctly"
The Minister of Health praised the patients' actions: "Both of those affected reacted correctly and called the doctor immediately after their symptoms appeared", said Anschober. The responsible authorities and the crisis team set up would take the necessary measures. In any case, Austria is prepared for the situation and is also "proceeding in close coordination with neighboring countries and the EU Commission".

Kickl: "Restrict border traffic"
The Tyrolean State Police Directorate will carry out investigations in the vicinity of the infected persons on behalf of the health authorities, explained Interior Minister Karl Nehammer (ÖVP). A permanent task force has already been set up at the Ministry of the Interior as a precautionary measure. FPÖ party leader Herbert Kickl wants to send apprehended illegal immigrants and asylum seekers directly into quarantine. Border traffic should be kept to a minimum.

The coronavirus hotline is available around the clock on the free phone number 0800/555-621 from 0 a.m. to midnight.

Suspected case in Linz tests negative
Two laboratory tests confirm that the suspected coronavirus case in Linz has not been confirmed. After a trip to Italy, a 55-year-old man from Pichling went to the doctor with symptoms that pointed to the novel virus. The doctors immediately isolated him in the GP's surgery and took swab samples. The analyses in two laboratories produced a negative result, meaning that the suspected COVID-19 case was not confirmed.