[ad_1]
When do the hospital places run out? Will the Federal Council act faster now? The following are the most important questions and answers.
The mask requirement, which has been extended by the Federal Council, is reflected in the infection statistics in at least two weeks.
Photo: Keystone
How fast is the pandemic spreading?
Currently, the number of new infections is doubling every week. This emerges from the new management report of the Covid-19 working group. On Friday, the Federal Office of Public Health reported 6,634 new cases of Covid, more than ever since the start of the pandemic and about double the number on Friday of the previous week. According to the task force, the number of infected people who have to go to the hospital is growing at the same rate, as is the number of deaths per corona. 117 hospitalizations and 10 deaths were reported on Friday.
Why aren’t mortality rates higher?
According to Martin Ackermann, head of the scientific working group, the sick can now be treated better and earlier than during the first wave. In addition, the average age of those affected is lower than in spring. For these reasons, the death rate is currently slightly lower than it was six months ago. However, there is no indication that the corona virus has changed or become more harmless, Ackermann emphasizes.
Martin Ackermann, Chairman of the Federal Covid Task Force.
Photo: Anthony Anex (Keystone)
Do you need more measurements?
From the perspective of the task force, the answer is clear: yes. What has been said so far is not enough. The Federal Council has announced additional measures for next Wednesday, this in case the cantons themselves have done very little by then. The measures should mainly attend to public access establishments, as well as events and meetings of all kinds, as provided in the current “special situation”, the cantons will be previously consulted. The Federal Council has so far rejected a return to the “extraordinary situation” and, therefore, to the emergency law as in the spring.
Why don’t the above measures work?
In fact, the Federal Council significantly tightened the Corona regime last Sunday. The mask requirement has been expanded, crowds have been restricted, home office recommended across the board. However, it takes at least a week or two for such decisions to be reflected in the infection statistics.
How much space is there in hospitals?
There are almost 1,000 beds available in Swiss intensive care units; If necessary, the number could be increased to 1,400. Approximately 680 are currently occupied, 130 of them with corona patients. If you believe Martin Ackermann, the head of the scientific working group, then the reserves can run out quickly. As Ackermann explained to the media on Friday, the 1,400 limit could be reached as early as the second week of November, when the disease continues to spread at roughly the same rate it has been. If the process is even accelerated (doubling in 5 instead of 7 days), according to the working group model, the intensive care beds are already fully used a week before.
What are the cantons doing?
The reaction of the cantons to the steep rise is very different. The canton of Bern, for example, which has already had a fairly strict regime, made far-reaching decisions on Friday: it closes museums, cinemas, theaters, bars and nightclubs, bans team sports, restricts gatherings, and expands the requirement to More expensive. On the contrary, the Canton of Zurich does not want to take further action at the moment.
Will the Federal Council act faster now?
Currently, as of Friday night, it is not planned, but may still change. In any case, the Zurich decision causes problems in the environment of the Federal Council. Health Minister Alain Berset (SP) reportedly told cantonal health directors on Thursday that he expected a strong reaction to the latest pandemic. Zurich health director Natalie Rickli (SVP) has apparently already indicated that she was missing the majority in college.
Are we threatened with closure?
Those in charge emphasize in unison that they want to avoid a confinement. The economy vehemently rejects it, as they made clear again this week. However, the federal task force clearly states that if the pandemic cannot be stopped, there will be no “national lockdown.”
Exclude “.
