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In a national comparison of the number of new infections with Covid-19, the canton of Baselland is at the bottom of the list of cantons. On Tuesday, however, there was a high increase in new infections with 51 cases, which meant that the limit of 60 new infections per 100,000 inhabitants was exceeded in 14 days. “We wanted to avoid that,” Health Director Thomas Weber (SVP) told the media on Wednesday.
Weber said there are currently four people in hospital care due to Covid-19. These would be treated in the normal room. There have been no more deaths in the canton since the end of September.
The number of people tested has increased considerably in recent days. It reached 350 people. Still, the testing and contact tracing worked, Weber said.
Personal responsibility instead of prohibitions
Faced with an increase in hospital admissions and, above all, an increase in the workload in the intensive care unit, the health department wants to order a reduction in the number of people in clubs, bars and discos in the short term. Arrangements should also be made for public events. In addition, a maximum limit of 30 people would be verified for private celebrations.
In an additional step, a general mask requirement will be considered in publicly accessible interiors and in public transportation waiting areas. It’s not that far yet. Weber emphasized several times that he had the responsibility of the people. He must learn to live with the virus. The dos and don’ts creates too much resistance.
Weber also doesn’t want to prevent all activities. Five applications have been received for major events with more than 1000 people. Meanwhile, there has been a permit, the other applications are being examined. Above all, Weber wants to keep financial damage as low as possible.
Contact tracer at stop
Canton doctor Samuel Erny, who has been in office since October 1, noted that more and more staff could be called in to trace contacts. Currently, 20 people work on contact tracing. However, the sharp increase in new infections pushed contact tracing “to the limit.” Most of the infections occurred in the private sector.
It is not known why there was a sharp increase in new cases Tuesday, Erny said. No group was found. On Wednesday, 28 new infections were recorded in the Basel area.
The new Feldreben test and clarification station in Muttenz is scheduled to go into operation on 14 November. Capacities there are significantly higher than at the current Muchenstein station. Up to 1000 people can be tested per day.
The requirement for masks in stores was introduced weeks ago in the neighboring canton of Basel-Stadt. Weber understands that the “patchwork quilt” can be unpleasant for the population, but does not want to introduce this controversial measure at the moment. Weber did not respond to the question of whether Basel was lobbying for a uniform regional solution.
