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The federal scientific task force assesses the new variant of the coronavirus as “very problematic.” The mutation has not yet been tested in Switzerland. She assumes “that the variant is here in small quantities.”
The task force made this assessment Sunday at the request of the Keystone-SDA news agency. Switzerland is in a risk zone with a health system at the limit of its capacity. Additionally, there are seasonal factors such as increased mobility during the festive season, winter sports, and increased time indoors. Therefore, a virus variant that is plausibly and rapidly spreading is “very problematic” for Switzerland.
Very little Swiss data
The corona virus variant has not yet been detected in the context of sequencing, the working group continues. However, that does not mean that the variant is not yet in Switzerland. In Switzerland, 100 to 300 samples per week would be sequenced, that is, only a very small proportion of cases.
When asked about the necessary measures, the working group wrote in its response that if a variant of the virus spreads rapidly, contacts should be reduced even more and faster to reduce the number of cases, interrupt the chains of infection and thus slowing down the spread.
Variation under observation
According to its own statements, the working group has been following the variant for some days. In this regard, they are in contact with the Federal Office of Public Health (BAG), the World Health Organization and British and South African virologists.
The new variant of the virus has many mutations in the spike protein. This helps the virus enter cells. There is indirect evidence that “the new variant of the virus is spreading more rapidly.”
In the UK, the newly discovered variant of the corona virus is causing authorities great concern. Based on initial findings, it could be up to 70 percent more contagious than the previously known form. (gbl / SDA)
