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The number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus infection in Austria has climbed to 2,147 as of Thursday afternoon, with six deaths reported, according to local health authorities.
Most cases (2,081) in the Alpine country are mild, while 66 patients are hospitalized with 12 requiring an intensive care, according to a dashboard on the status of the coronavirus released by the Health Ministry.
Tyrol, a western state bordering Italy, has placed all of its 279 municipalities under lockdown since midnight last night, effective until April 5, banning anyone from leaving their towns or villages except going to work or covering basic needs.
The coronavirus crisis has led to a rapid rise in unemployment in Austria, according to local media.
From Sunday evening to Tuesday evening, the number of unemployed registered with the Labor Market Service (AMS) rose by almost 49,000, reported the Austrian Press Agency (APA).
To combat the spike in unemployment, the government unveiled a new form of short-time working, whereby the state will pay 80-90 percent of employees' salaries as well as social security no matter how few hours they work. (Zhao Feifei)
