Upper Austria. A study commissioned by the State of Upper Austria on the corona events in Upper Austria in the second half of 2020 brought some surprising results. The numbers show: In sparsely populated rural areas in Upper Austria, Corona has spread more than in more densely populated urban areas. This suggests that measures against Corona are being taken less seriously there. The numbers do away with a prejudice about the behavior of foreigners.
Upper Austria recorded a sad high number of Covid infections and deaths in November 2020. In order to find out the reasons for this, the state of Upper Austria commissioned a study at the Center for Public Health of the Med-Uni Vienna. The period from July 1 to December 31, 2020 was examined. Demographic and other characteristics were evaluated, and the SARS-CoV-2 incidence, the number of cases and death rates in the 18 districts in Upper Austria were compared.
Less adhered to measures in the country? “Lies near”
The results are partly surprising, but partly also confirm everyday experiences.
The figures show – contrary to what is often assumed: “The higher the population density, the lower the Covid incidence,” said environmental medicine specialist and study author Hans-Peter Hutter. On the contrary, the opposite effect was found: “Not in densely populated urban areas, but in rural areas that are sparsely populated, there is a significantly higher probability and a clearly positive connection with infections,” said Hutter in the Tips conversation.
The “hard numbers” of deaths show the same. “In rural areas, you see an increased risk of infections and a higher proportion of deaths.”
According to Hutter, “This finding suggests that there has been less awareness and more carelessness about the measures in rural areas. It is possible that this was and is taken less seriously there. The basis of trust between people is probably also different there than in cities, where it is more anonymous. It is a presumption that this is why there is simply a more relaxed atmosphere in rural areas, ”says Hutter.
The Rohrbach district had the highest maximum 7-day incidence between July and December at 1,631 per 100,000 inhabitants, and the lowest Linz city with 602.1.
Refuted prejudice against foreigners
Some things from everyday experience would be confirmed in the study, others not at all, says Hutter. What is not confirmed in this way are prejudices against foreigners. “If you look at the data, there is a very negative correlation here. So the higher the proportion of foreigners or of foreign origin in the districts, the lower the incidence in these districts. That was a surprising result for us too, and it shows how important such analyzes are. Some things are confirmed from everyday experience, some are contrary, ”says Hutter.
On the other hand, no significant correlations were found with the age structure, so age hardly plays a role in the infection dynamics. Education also plays a subordinate role. “Some might have the impression that the lower the education, the less awareness of the measures, but that has not been confirmed,” said the expert.
Study “important step”
The results are now to be used to derive measures to combat pandemics. “From my point of view, such studies are an important step. Upper Austria experienced a very dramatic situation in November and December with a sad result. This should be prevented one more time, so we go to the root cause research with the question: “What brought us there in the first place,” explains the environmental medicine specialist. This investigation was a first rough but well-founded step, with a “value, also for communication with the population.”
LH deputy Christine Haberlander: “The results clearly underline: The virus is a virus close by. And also the emotional closeness. It is not about factors such as population density, but rather who is close to you and how close do I let those people approach me in this difficult time. That is why I appeal to everyone, including in private, trusted circles, to observe the measures. ”
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