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How is the situation? Switzerland currently has around 6,000 cases a day, says Virginie Masserey, head of the infection control section at FOPH. The second wave passes over Switzerland. Hospitalizations are now comparable to those of the first wave, as are deaths. All age groups are affected, but older people have a higher incidence than younger people. Hospitals are under pressure. Contact tracing is also currently on edge and overloaded.
Many cantons have taken effective action, but society is not behaving properly, according to Martin Ackermann, chairman of the federal Covid-19 scientific working group. “Stay home whenever you can.” People didn’t act like they did in mid-March when they restricted their mobility, Ackermann said. The level of mobility is much higher. More corona tests would be desirable for Ackermann. “Very little testing is done in Switzerland.” The positivity rate is too high, over 20 percent.
Spitalbelegung: Andreas Stettbacher, delegate of the Federal Council for the coordinated medical service, said he had bad news and gave information about the occupation of the hospital. If no action was taken, the acute beds would last 15 days. “If the intensive care units were expanded to 1,400 intensive care units, the reserves would be enough for 10 days.”
Martin Ackermann said that increasing the capacity of the bed is not the solution to the problem. “Even if we increase the capacity of the bed by 50 percent, which is very unrealistic, it would only take us a few days if the growth remains the same. Then these beds would also be used completely again. “
Tests and vaccines: According to Virginie Masserey, head of the infection control section at FOPH, nothing has changed in the federal testing strategy. There is enough evidence to evaluate all symptomatic people.
With regard to Covid-19 vaccines, two contracts have already been concluded, but they are still in negotiations with other manufacturers. It is important to diversify in order to guarantee a vaccine. There are delays in the delivery of the flu vaccine. Vaccine doses may not be delivered until December.
Companies in need: The hardship rule for companies particularly affected by the corona pandemic is currently being worked on at full speed, as explained by Boris Zürcher, head of Seco’s Labor Directorate. Among other things, it concerns the event industry, the travel industry, and tourism companies. From the return to the special situation, the Federal Council must consult the cantons and the social partners. The matter is very complex and needs some time. The specific design of the difficult living conditions rule should be the responsibility of the cantons.
Stéphane Rossini, Director of the Federal Office of Social Security, affirmed that various measures to support the economy continue to be applied. For example, the income replacement regulation will remain in effect until the end of June 2021. Other measures would have retrospective effects. Some decisions at the cantonal level would also have an impact on federal funds.
Economic situation: According to the forecast of the economic research institute KOF, Switzerland has lost around 40 billion francs in revenue due to Corona. Here’s what Jan-Egbert Sturm, head of the economic expert group at the National Covid-19 Scientific Working Group, said. “Today’s uncertainty, created by the pandemic, is clearly a poison for the economy.” One should curb the economy “only to the extent that we limit our physical contacts,” with protective measures and home office. All of this is not ideal, but it is better than a world in which the pandemic is growing.
