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The number of confirmed infections and deaths doubled in a week, as many hospital admissions as at the height of the first wave of pandemics in mid-March: if this development continues uncontrolled, beds in intensive care units will last 10 to 14 days, warn federal experts.
The Federal Office of Public Health (BAG) again reported around 6,000 new confirmed infections with the corona virus within 24 hours on Tuesday. Additionally, the BAG recorded 167 hospital admissions and 16 new deaths during the same period.
A fact of great concern to the federal government: Virginie Masserey, head of the Infection Control Section of the Federal Office of Public Health at FOPH, told the media that the positivity rate is now around 24 percent with around 25,000 tests per day. And at the same time, the number of deaths is increasing at a rate comparable to that of the first wave.
There are now 693 confirmed coronavirus infections per 100,000 residents in Switzerland. In some cantons this number is even higher, for example in Valais, Geneva, Jura, Freiburg, Vaud or Neuchâtel, but also in Schwyz, Appenzell Innerrhoden and Liechtenstein, Masserey said.
The number of positive cases increased in all age groups, but was the fastest among young adults. Children are still the least affected. On the contrary, the infection rate is also accelerating in the elderly. And that’s why the growing number of hospital admissions was also a cause for concern.
The most intensive places do not contribute much
Because if action is not taken now, “beds in intensive care units will last 10-14 days,” warned Andreas Stettbacher, delegate of the Federal Council for Coordinated Medical Service (KSD).
Hospitals had taken steps to create more space for corona patients in their intensive care units, said Martin Ackermann, chairman of the federal Covid-19 scientific working group. But even if the number of places were increased by 200, Switzerland would only gain 32 hours.
Therefore, Ackermann also warned that increased capacity in hospitals and increased staff working hours might be necessary. But none of that is the solution to the problem ”. There is no alternative to drastic measures. “We have to stop this development and prevent half of all new infections,” Ackermann said.
So far, the task force has had no indication that the spread is delayed. But people did not act as they did in mid-March when their mobility was restricted. The level of mobility is much higher than at the height of the first Corona wave and hovers around 75 percent compared to the pre-Corona situation.
Income compensation scheme until the end of June 2021
At the same time, the Secretary of State for the Economy (Seco) is working “at full speed” on the hardship rule for companies particularly affected by the corona pandemic, as explained by Boris Zürcher, director of the Labor Directorate. Among other things, it concerns the event industry, the travel industry, and tourism companies.
In general, due to the current and foreseeable situation, moderate and slowed economic activity is still to be expected. The objective of the Federal Council to guarantee jobs and paid employment will be maintained.
Stéphane Rossini, director of the Federal Social Security Office (FSIO), for his part, stated that various measures to support the economy continue to be applied. For example, Corona’s income replacement regulation will remain in effect until the end of June 2021.
Other measures would have retrospective effects, Rossini said. Some decisions at the cantonal level would also have an impact on federal funds. This applies, for example, to employees who have a job similar to that of an employer. In hindsight, these could also be related to compensation or lost wages, retrospectively as of September 17, 2020. This is how Covid-19 regulates it.
According to Zürcher, at least the fear of a bankruptcy wave is so far unfounded. But the situation will get a little more difficult in the coming months, some companies will have problems. With the hardship rule and Corona income replacement, there will be relief. (SDA)
