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Starting today, residents and tourists of southern Graubünden can take a voluntary rapid crown test. A total of 35,000 people from 18 communities are served. The objective of this campaign is to carry out 20,000 rapid tests between now and Sunday. Science editor Thomas Häusler explains what it should bring.
Thomas Häusler
Science editor
SRF News: What are the benefits of these massive tests in the canton of Graubünden?
Thomas Häusler: The canton wants to have a better overview of the infection rate. He also wants to stop the spread. Authorities hope to find as many people as possible who carry the corona virus undetected. You are supposed to be isolated. This is supposed to interrupt the chains of transmission. And last but not least, the southern canton of Grisons wants to gain experience with this pilot project.
How many people have to participate for the results to be meaningful?
Experts speak of at least two-thirds to 80 percent of the population. That’s around these 20,000 people. This could have a damping effect. It also depends on other factors, for example how high the number of cases is in the canton and how many people who tested positive actually go into isolation.
The population has to participate at different levels for something like this to be successful. So far, 10,000 people have registered for the tests in the canton of Graubünden.
This is a first for Switzerland. Foreign countries have already gained experience, for example, South Tyrol. How successful were the tests abroad?
So far, the balance sheet is quite mixed. When it comes to participation, in Slovakia they were very successful with 80 percent, but this test was practically mandatory there. In South Tyrol it was two-thirds, although the test was voluntary, which is remarkable. A massive test is also taking place in Austria, but far fewer people are participating there.
The mandatory tests in Slovakia were scientifically monitored and the study showed that they probably had a noticeable effect. However, it must be said that the analysis was very complicated because at the same time strict protection measures were also introduced. Distinguishing these effects is not easy. The researchers tried this with a lot of math.
However, not all experts are convinced of the positive conclusion of the analysis. And a few weeks after the massive tests, the numbers in Slovakia are now rising again. You have to be vigilant after such tests for the effect to remain.
When can you expect results in the Graubünden case?
People get their test results very quickly via SMS. The campaign runs through Sunday night. The canton will provide information on the results on Monday at 10 am We will see in two weeks if the action will reduce the transmissions. Here also the measures that have been introduced in the last days are added. In Graubünden the bars and restaurants are closed and all this has a delayed effect. Perhaps the effect in southern Grisons is that the number of cases is declining more than in the rest of the canton. One wishes that.
Interview by Roger Aebli.
