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Hospitalizations at the Valais Hospital remain high. Image: keystone
The situation in Valais is improving, but the peak of hospitalizations has not yet been reached
In terms of crown numbers, Valais is something of a harbinger for the rest of Switzerland. The situation now seems to have eased somewhat.
During the second Corona wave, the Valais has become a hotspot in terms of the number of infections and hospitalizations. It was also the first canton to take stricter measures. The cantonal government closed clubs, bars, cinemas, theaters, swimming pools and gyms on October 22. In restaurants, only four people could sit at a table, meetings with more than ten people were prohibited. The Federal Council decided on similar measures in Switzerland less than a week later.
>> Coronavirus: All the news in the live ticker
Consequently, the development of the situation in Valais is relevant for the whole of Switzerland. If something changes in the mountain canton, this could also be noticed later in other parts of Switzerland. The evolution of the figures in recent days gives hope.
Since the beginning of October, the number of new infections each day has increased considerably. The 7-day average (this number is more important due to daily fluctuations) was 12 cases on October 1, 50 on October 8 and 194 on 15. This exponential growth now appears to be slowing down for the moment. Since the beginning of last week, the 7-day average has stalled at around 700 cases per day.
Daily new infections and number of people hospitalized in one day in Valais
“This is good progress,” says Nicolas Troillet, head of infectious diseases at Wallis hospital and deputy doctor of the canton. But it is still too early to talk about a change in trend. “He’s a little better now, but still not good,” this is how he sums up the current situation.
Valais health director Ester Waeber-Kalbermatten assesses the development as “cautiously positive.” There was a slight decrease in the daily number of infections, but it was only at the end of this week that we were able to tell if the measures from two weeks ago are showing their effect.
Situation in hospitals unchanged
Both the health director and the deputy cantonal doctor emphasize that the population must not be negligent now and must continue to adhere to the measures. “Because the situation in the hospitals has by no means relaxed,” Troillet said. Even if the number of infections fell, it would take another week for this to become noticeable in the number of hospitalizations and for two or a little more calm to return to the intensive care units.
Currently, 271 people are being treated for Covid-19 in Valais hospitals, and the trend continues to increase considerably. Consequently, the “Center Hospitalier du Valais Romand” is already at warning level four out of six. You still have some air in the intensive care units. According to the monitoring of the IPS beds, 24 people are currently cared for there. Canton-wide space can be created for up to 37 people.
Occupation of hospital beds in Valais
Regarding infections in the Valais population, Troillet says: “I hope we are now near the peak.” In a few days you will know more. Then it would be easier to judge whether the measures are on the right track, and the situation in the rest of Switzerland will at least relax a bit.
