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How can you explain the situation in Great Britain?
A question about the decline in the number of cases in the UK. How can this be explained? Ackermann says that from a scientific point of view there is no answer to that. But you know that the government of Great Britain has been very strict and has established many measures. You also know that if there are a large number of cases, people are more willing to follow the rules.
Characteristics of the Brazilian variant
A journalist wants to know what are the characteristics of the variant of the Brazilian virus. “It is more contagious: those who have already been infected by the original virus can become infected again.”
Austria imposes an obligation of proof when leaving Tyrol
In view of the spread of the South African virus mutation, Austria is tightening corona measures for Tyrol. The country has now announced it. Therefore, a journalist wants to know if the Swiss border should not be closed as well. Christian Bock, director of the Federal Customs Administration, says he does not know the exact numbers, but there are few people in this area who would cross the border.
Is there enough sequencing in Switzerland?
Switzerland has been sequencing much more than before since the end of 2020, and in an international comparison there is a good understanding, Ackermann said. “As soon as the number of cases of mutations is high enough, you can better tell where they occur.”
In some places, for example in schools, hotspots have already been identified in Switzerland, according to Masserey. Masserey explains the sequencing procedure. There are two tools for that. With these two follow-up measures, it can be determined that there is an increase in mutations and which cantons are most affected.
Will I no longer be a problem?
Boubaker is asked if sickness is no longer a problem. He did not mention it in his part. Boubaker says that of course that’s a problem. But now it is important to look at the new variants, because without them the situation would be better. It says the number of people treated in hospitals today is roughly the same. Loosening the measures now would mean that many more people would have to be admitted again, Boubaker said.
On the psychological condition of people.
What about the psychological condition of people? A journalist would like to hear this from Martin Ackermann. “There are people in the working group who are dealing with this issue.” The issue is also discussed with BAG.
Population perspective
A journalist returns to the requested relaxation. He asks Ackermann if he could give people perspective. Ackermann shows understanding and says that this is the job of politics. He and his colleagues on the task force would provide the scientific basis.
Is Tyrol on the quarantine list?
A journalist addresses the subject of Tyrol, where an accumulation of mutations could be observed. And the borders? “The border regions are currently excluded from the quarantine list,” Masserey said. Austria is preparing measures for Switzerland. The whole thing will be observed.
Why so many doses of vaccine?
A question for Masserey. Switzerland ordered 32 million doses of vaccines for eight million residents. Why? Masserey says they want to have certain alternatives. Many uncertainties remain. For example, one of the vaccines eventually purchased may not be approved or another may not have the desired effect.
Ackermann: “The set of measures is important”
Will there be relaxation in Switzerland from March? “This discussion is largely based on the current number of cases,” explains the head of the task force, Ackermann. However, one would have to delve deeper into what lies beneath the surface to understand the epidemic, especially when it comes to mutations. The current measures would work, Ackermann said. “The set of measures is important.”
What’s next in March and April?
Now the question and answer session begins. A journalist says he is a bit frustrated. The graph shown by Ackermann only shows the numbers up to the end of February. He wants to know how things will go in March and April. Ackermann says it is not about forecasts, but about variants. Then measurements can be derived from this.
The customs administration wants to carry out the checks itself
Travelers could add missing reports directly at the border, Bock said. We carry out controls in rail traffic, road traffic, heavy traffic, coaches and also in air traffic ”. The aim is to carry out the checks yourself and not ask the staff for help.
Travelers would have many questions. Try to answer this. “We have problems from time to time with PCR testing, especially with regard to languages.”
Christian Bock (Federal Customs Administration): “No fines are issued at the border”
The new measures at the borders are also a problem. Christian Bock, director of the Federal Customs Administration (FCA), explains that there were no problems on Monday. In 217 cases, no data was provided during controls. The number of non-existent negative PCR tests was also small. Fines will not be issued at the border, but they will be issued in the country itself. Cross-border traffic has dropped dramatically, Bock said.
Planning problems due to uncertainties
Boubaker also addresses problems or uncertainties that the cantons have. For example, it is not clear when the federal government would approve the Astra-Zeneca vaccine. But also if this vaccine maybe it could only be used for younger people. Such uncertainties would make planning very difficult.
Situation in western Switzerland
Karim Boubaker, president of the French-speaking Cantonal Doctors Commission, takes office. It says that the cantons of western Switzerland meet regularly. “We vaccinate, that’s the most important thing,” says Boubaker. The demand in western Switzerland is very high. The problem is that there are not enough doses available to vaccinate everyone now. They wanted to assure people who received the first vaccine that they will also receive the second vaccine. Boubaker says that would keep a lot of people busy. Usually one is ready to be able to vaccinate more as soon as more doses are available.
Ackermann: mobility remains high
Ackermann talks about the mobility data of the Swiss population. “The average distance traveled has decreased,” says Ackermann. But: the value is still high, higher than last spring, for example. “We still have options when it comes to mobility.”
Head of the Ackermann working group: “20 percent of current cases date back to B.1.1.7”
Martin Ackermann, Chairman of the Covid Task Force, now has his say. Talk about mutations in the virus. “Due to the higher infection rates, the number of cases increases with B.1.1.7.” It presents a calculation: Infections with known strains would decrease, so Ackermann. The measures taken in January will take effect. “We estimate that 20 percent of current cases date back to B.1.1.7.”
Infections should now continue to decline, Ackermann said. Thanks to B.1.1.7, it could quickly reach its limits again, similar to Portugal.
Use contact tracing more often
Masserey addresses contact tracing. They want to expand this again so they can better see where people would be infected with the new variants. It also provides a brief overview of current vaccination numbers. Almost five percent of the Swiss population is now vaccinated. Regarding vaccination, much is not yet clear, such as how strongly it is ultimately protected. This means that you have to be very careful, despite being vaccinated.
First case of the Brazilian variant
Masserey says it was the first time a case of the Brazilian variant had been discovered in Switzerland. But he couldn’t say more about it. For example, it is not yet clear how the case got to Switzerland.
Start of the press conference
We look forward to welcoming you to the FOPH press conference. Virginie Masserey, Head of the Infection Control Section at FOPH, begins. She explains the current situation. The number of cases was slowly decreasing, she says. However, the proportion of new variants is growing.
