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The coronavirus is spreading in Switzerland with incredible speed. The number of cases has doubled in a week. The situation is reaching a critical point in such a way that Switzerland threatens to spiral out of control in a very short time. Contact tracing could collapse and space in hospitals could become tight.
The second wave also affected other countries. To break the exponential growth, Wales is resorting to a mini-lockdown: starting Friday, public life in the country will come to a halt for two weeks. Welsh can only leave the house if absolutely necessary. For example, if the home office is impossible or to go to the doctor. A jogging round is also possible. Meeting other people in private: prohibited.
Throw the overload switch
The measure is also called “circuit breaker” – “overload switch”. Lives must be saved and the healthcare system from collapsing, says the Welsh government. Northern Ireland has already used this remedy. It is under debate in other countries.
It is not surprising that Stefan Kuster (43) of the Federal Office of Public Health (BAG) admits to the media that the federal government is examining such brief blockades. After all, the Welsh authorities currently “only” record around 120 corona cases per 100,000 inhabitants. In Switzerland there are 340.
Experts don’t simply reject the idea: “A circuit breaker would help us too,” says Matthias Egger (63), an epidemiologist at the University of Bern and former head of the federal scientific working group. How much, exactly, is difficult to predict.
Hesitated too much
But: “If we had done a mini-blockade in early September, it probably would have had a big impact. Now I’m not sure if two weeks will be enough. “The advantage is that you give people such a clear period.” It is better to endure than to introduce a blockade and people do not know how long the situation will last.
The idea behind a brief lockdown is to remove the virus, Egger says. The question is, hasn’t the virus already gained too much ground? “What is happening now in hospitals reflects the infection process of about three weeks ago. I’m concerned about how this will play out, ”he says.
Better to intervene specifically
It is too late for a “circuit breaker” when it comes to former LPG president Martin Bäumle (56). In addition, it would be “economically sensitive,” says the National Council. “Targeted interventions are required, where they have the greatest impact, but the economic damage is limited.”
The leader of the FDP, Petra Gössi (44), also advocates very specific measures. “Mini-confinements should also be avoided as much as possible,” he says. Instead, he hopes that, among other things, rapid tests can control the situation.
And the FOPH is concerned about how to get out of a brief lockdown. The office fears: even if this were limited to 14 days from inception, it would be difficult to reopen. Because a possible success is only seen a few days later.
To contain the virus: BAG is checking the mini-lock(01:39)
