Did you miss the federal crown PK? The most important in 6 points

Did you miss the federal crown PK? The most important in 6 points

The Federal Office of Public Health (BAG) reported 5,980 coronavirus infections on Tuesday, just under a week ago. He speaks of a slowdown in the increase in the number of cases. This is not a reason to give the thumbs up, but rather to be cautious with optimism. On Tuesday there was a press point in Bern with federal experts. Here are the most important things in 6 points.

The numbers are still “very, very high”

Stefan Kuster, Head of Communicable Diseases at FOPH, told the media on Tuesday: “The signs are pointing in the right direction, but we have to significantly reduce the number of cases to relieve hospitals.” There are still many hospital admissions, the situation continues to be worrying in terms of the use of the health system.

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But a slowdown is seen in the increase in the number of cases. The flattening trend can be observed throughout the country, including western Switzerland, which has been particularly affected. A slight weakening can also be observed in hospital admissions. The reproduction rate is lower than it has been in months, specifically at 1.05. That means that 20 infected people infect 21 people.

But nothing is clear yet, Kuster emphasized. It is too early to judge whether the measures taken by the Federal Council in late October are effective. In an international comparison, the Swiss figures are “still very, very high.”

Sufficient beds available

Despite all the concerns about overloading hospitals, there are currently enough free hospital beds, as Andreas Stettbacher, delegate of the Federal Council for coordinated medical service, said at the press conference.

As of Tuesday morning, there were 6,637 free beds in acute care rooms and 328 beds in intensive care rooms. In intensive care units, the proportion of patients with Covid 19 is almost 60 percent.

The Zurich University Hospital has found that mortality, the number of deaths, is significantly lower in Covid 19 patients than in the spring. It is currently below 10 percent, it said Tuesday. One reason is probably the higher proportion of patients younger than in spring.

Caution should be exercised with the vaccine.

The corona vaccine from drug companies Biontech and Pfizer is raising great hopes in dark times. However, Switzerland should not be neglected in the fight against the Covid 19 pandemic, Samia Hurst, vice chair of the scientific working group, told the media in Bern on Tuesday.

Hurst dashed hopes for quick relief from the vaccine:

The pace of vaccine development is unprecedented, said the Geneva-based physician and ethicist. But caution is the order of the day. Clinical data from vaccine studies have not yet been published. These data must be verified before approval. The scientific working group will study the matter.

Contact tracing doesn’t work everywhere

In the canton of Baselland, contact tracing is only possible to a very limited extent, said a journalist at the press conference. Only people who have a positive test result will be contacted. Then they have to inform their contacts themselves.

Kuster replied: “The goal is to reduce the numbers to the point that contact tracing is easier again.” Basel Canton doctor Thomas Steffen added that sometimes it is necessary to step back. When you are back in control, you can expand again. For a time, the contact persons in Basel-Stadt were only informed in writing.

It will be a long time

Steffen advised the population to be arranged in such a way that they could withstand the behavior that contributes to the flattening of the Covid curve for a long time. For example, you need to create islands of calm without a crown, of course, while observing protective measures.

“What we are experiencing now is a marathon,” the member of the board of directors of the Cantonal Medical Association said on Tuesday at the press point of the specialized authorities in front of the media in Bern. “We see the first positive signs of the measures since the beginning of October,” he said.

However, individual behavior is now contributing significantly to a stable winter. So it should be set up in such a way that you can keep the measurements for three to four months. Power must be used correctly to comply with measurements.

Especially difficult subject masks for people with disabilities.

Wearing a mask is a particular restriction for people with disabilities. The Federal Office for Equal Opportunities for People with Disabilities (EBGB) calls for people with disabilities to be protected from discrimination and provided with the necessary understanding.

It happens time and again that people with disabilities are expelled from a restaurant, store, university or school if they do not wear a mask, despite a medical certificate that exempts the person from wearing a mask. So said Urs Germann, associate researcher at EBGB.

There are people who cannot wear a mask, Germann said. The reasons are varied and often not obvious at first glance. Some could not wear a mask for motor reasons; People with autism can panic; People with intellectual disabilities or dementia do not understand why they have to wear a mask.

The obligation to wear a mask is also a problem for the hearing impaired if they can no longer read their lips. That could lead to misunderstandings and problems. “One solution would be transparent masks,” Germann said. However, at the moment it is not possible to obtain enough masks of this type.

“That makes mutual understanding even more important,” Germann said. If the distance is respected, the people in front can remove their masks. The person with hearing impairment can keep the mask on and protect the other person.

This has already proven its worth in public transport. This can also be used in schools, restaurants, or stores. “Wearing masks is not comfortable for anyone,” Germann said. For the people mentioned, however, life is severely restricted. This requires everyone’s understanding. (sda)