Federal Council on the Crown Crisis – Berset: “The situation remains tense at a high level” – News

Don’t stop, even if coronavirus infections rise less sharply, warns the Health Minister.

The situation remains tense at a high level, Health Minister Alain Berset said on Wednesday of the current epidemiological situation. However, the number of cases increased less strongly in all regions and age groups: “We can see that the situation has improved, the R ratio is around one, which is good news. The situation with respect to the measures is stable, no new measures are envisaged at the moment. “

However, according to Berset, hospitalizations and the number of corona intensive care patients continue to rise. Contact tracing still can’t be done smoothly. However, compared to the first wave in March, a lot has changed: “What remains identical to March is that we are dealing with the same virus and a wave.”

Berset added: “In March we were much less prepared and there was a lack of supplies and medicines.” However, one problem is the fact that certain hospital personnel are under quarantine.

An additional 100 million for vaccines

Berset also announced that the Federal Council has increased the loan for the acquisition of a Covid-19 vaccine by CHF 100 million to CHF 400 million. The amount comes from already approved Covid-19 loans, which are included in the army budget.

The Federal Office of Public Health (BAG) writes that it is not yet possible to say with certainty which companies or which vaccines will ultimately prevail and be available to the Swiss population. Therefore, the federal government relies on various manufacturers for the procurement of Covid-19 vaccines.

Who wants or can vaccinate first?

When asked about the fact that only one in five people use the flu vaccine, Berset was convinced that many more people will get the corona vaccine. It is important that all those who want to be vaccinated have the necessary vaccines available. He reiterated that there is no mandatory vaccination.

First, risk groups and their environment must be able to be vaccinated, explained Stefan Kuster, head of the Department of Communicable Diseases at FOPH: “The exact strategy can only be determined once the vaccines and the effect are safe.”

As for the storage, or more precisely the refrigeration, of vaccines, Berset has been preparing for months. The army is responsible. Nora Kronig, Head of the International Bureau (BAG), added that the material had already been purchased and that it was on the right track.

Encouraging signs

The German company Biontech and the pharmaceutical company Pfizer recently announced that their vaccine offered more than 90 percent protection. The federal government has already signed contracts with two other manufacturers. In August, Switzerland obtained 4.5 million doses of vaccines from Moderna.

In mid-October, a contract was signed with the pharmaceutical company Astrazeneca for the delivery of up to 5.3 million doses. Today it cannot be said when a vaccine will be available, emphasizes BAG. However, it is assumed that the first vaccinations could take place in Switzerland in the first half of 2021.