Austria: Coronavirus cases rise to 62 at resort
July 28, 2020
The number of coronavirus infections linked to an outbreak at the scenic Austrian holiday resort of Wolfgangsee has risen to 62, according to health authorities in Upper Austria on Tuesday.
On Monday, authorities reported the outbreak had caused 53 infections.
The virus cluster has been traced to hotels and bars as well as one shop in the town of St. Wolfgang. It has also been linked to a guesthouse and a bathing area in Ried/St. Gilgen and a further guesthouse in the town of Strobl.
A group of 16- and 17-year-old hospitality trainees on a summer placement in the area are thought to be at the center of the outbreak, according to Upper Austria's COVID-19 crisis response team.
Following the outbreak in St. Wolfgang, authorities carried out mass COVID-19 testing of over 1,183 people, including guests, hotel staff, and local residents.
Authorities are still waiting for 38 outstanding results.
Trainees at center of the outbreak
"The cluster in St. Wolfgang started small, as usually happens. In this case, the outbreak was caused by a few young people who got together in the evening," Theresia Schlöglmann, head of the Upper Austrian crisis unit told Austrian public television channel ORF on Monday. The young people were not to blame, she stressed.
The trainees typically slept two or three to a bedroom, providing conditions to help the virus spread more easily, reported news agency AFP.
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Fears grow over high-risk returnees
In recent weeks, case flare-ups have been reported at other popular holiday destinations in Europe and governments have begun reintroducing various restrictions.
The cluster broke out at Wolfgangsee shortly after Austria reintroduced face mask requirements inside supermarkets, banks and post offices, in response to rising infections.
In response to increased transmission numbers in Spain, the UK imposed a quarantine period for returning holidaymakers.
Germany on Monday made COVID-19 tests at airports mandatory for anyone returning from high-risk areas.
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