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Mr. Tanner, some cantons still allow large events, others prohibit them, although no infections were found from such events. A quick shot of individual cantons?
Marcel Tanner: In the first wave, the working group said that the number of people had to be reduced because many people would gather there. Then came the opening, and we clearly communicated that if good protection concepts were implemented, more viewers could be admitted again. Now we are in a difficult situation again. Federal Councilor Alain Berset has left the directive in place, acknowledging that many organizers have gone to great lengths and also to be able to give people a positive vision of the future. However, the cantons have the option to again restrict the events in a particular situation. These are not quick fixes.
The canton of St. Gallen, for example, decided otherwise.
That is good. If the canton of St. Gallen sees that it can assume this responsibility, it is correct. In the end, governments have to decide: What perspective do I give to the people and where should the measures be ordered? It is not an easy question. We trusted that people could handle basic measurements and masks on public transport. But everyone has gotten tired and relaxed a bit more. This has led to a new situation where it is questionable whether stricter measures are needed again. The scientific working group answered yes.
Are there other strategies planned?
There is no point in accumulating new guidelines if basic measures are not followed. We have the three rules of hygiene, distance and masks in public transport. Let’s add five more, most people say, that’s enough. However, the basic measures have worked, as demonstrated in the spring. Now you can’t quit. But with the rapid increase in cases, hospitalizations and intensive cases, additional measures are needed.
Some hope is placed in rapid tests.
Rapid tests will be very useful and can be used very effectively in different places. Although the tests are less sensitive than standard PCR tests, they do indicate who is infectious. We are working at full speed on the validation of these rapid tests in Switzerland and they will be ready for use soon. The tests can simplify the identification of infected people in various locations, such as an airport, or allow home visits. Quick tests are part of the strategies, but not magic formulas. They allow you to make faster decisions in various processes and, in certain circumstances, let an event run.
Some countries carry out mass tests with these rapid tests. Do these also make sense in Switzerland?
It’s possible. Whether these are of any use is a question of the correct use of bulk testing. There are massive tests in which an entire village is tested and, on the other hand, the so-called class tests in which the contagious is looked for directly in a group. They are both the same. You go to a church or community because you suspect a super broadcast event has taken place. We are already doing this in Switzerland with the surveillance response strategy (monitoring and response). So find out where the broadcasts are happening and act there and around. Rapid tests can help with this strategy.
Roche rapid tests have not yet been performed by medical staff. Will the self-test also come at home?
Yes, they are in development. They are not yet certified or validated by the EU. Of course you would like these kinds of home tests for Covid-19. HIV testing can now be done at home. With home tests there is an additional problem. It has also been seen with HIV that people should not be left alone with clear or unclear fatal outcomes. For Covid-19, the current 15-minute rapid tests, which are still being processed by the laboratory, are currently more important.
Do we have to wait for vaccines? Not much is known about the Swiss researchers at this time.
Swiss vaccines are not yet in the clinical phases, and these phases are crucial to assess the potential.
There’s still hope?
Yes, sure. A first-generation vaccine will be developed from the ten international candidates now in clinical trials. With this the Swiss vaccines did not die. You are part of the second generation, for whom lessons have been learned from the first generation. If all goes well, we can expect a first-generation vaccine by the middle of next year.
Have the risk groups changed?
The strict age rating no longer applies. The risk group includes someone who is older and has one or two previous illnesses. Not strictly 65 anymore. There are also people in their 60s and youngsters who are at risk due to previous illness and stress.
Do you know how many people die from Sars-CoV-2 alone?
There are approximate global figures. Ten percent of people die from Sars-CoV2 alone. Then depending on the region of the world and the situation, there are 10-15 percent of deaths that may have been misclassified and where patients actually died from something other than Covid-19. These are the famous stories of road deaths, which were also positive. About 80 percent die due to a Covid infection, combined with a previous and accompanying illness.
