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According to the model’s calculation, the crown mutation could cause infections to flare up again.
The mutated Covid-19 virus is now present in several countries, including Switzerland. Cases have been identified in the canton of Zurich, Valais and Graubünden. And more would appear, says Patrick Mathys, director of crisis management at the Federal Office of Public Health (BAG).
Mathys says there is no way to prevent the mutation from spreading in Switzerland: “But we can stop it. And thus gain time to find the appropriate, correct and more efficient measures to combat them ”.
Legend:
So far, seven cases of new crown variants have been discovered in Switzerland, five from the British and two with the South African mutation.
Keystone
The FOPH is now discussing new measures with the cantons, such as more intensive contact tracing for people who have contracted the mutated virus. Not all cantons are equipped for this, explains Linda Nartey, vice president of the Cantonal Medical Association: “The situation in contact tracing and outbreak management indicates that we must do everything possible to limit the transmission of viruses and reduce the number of cases”.
The problem is that the mutated coronavirus is significantly more contagious than the previous one. According to the model calculations of the federal scientific working group, this could lead to the contagion soaring again despite the measures. As can be seen today in London, Martin Ackermann, Chairman of the Task Force, explains: “There, hospitalizations doubled from 16 to 22 December, that is, in just one week.”
Complex virus analysis
Therefore, the scientific working group suggests continuing to strive for a rapid reduction in the number of cases, reducing it by half every two weeks. “In addition, we should try to specifically interrupt infections with the new variants with a greater and specific effort.”
The problem with constantly tracking individual cases begins with identifying them in the first place. To do this, the genetic sequence of the virus must be analyzed, which is only done in one percent of positive cases today. BAG would like to expand on this, but that is not possible overnight.
A race against time
Meanwhile, science suggests that infections are generally avoided by relying more on home offices. Or for schools to only resume classes on January 11 so kids don’t catch holiday infections in the classroom.
The race against time has begun. The goal is to stop the spread of the more contagious Covid-19 virus until a large part of the population is vaccinated.
