Thread by @CoronaEnglish

(Thread)
Coronavirus Press Conference, 2.2.2021.
#Coronavirus #CoronaInfoCH #Covid19 #Switzerland #Schweiz

BAG Director Anne Lévy: «For a few weeks now there has been a little hope. But the tendency that show a decrease of new infections is deceptive.» The BAG is worried that the British Covid variant could lead to a trend reversal.

Vaccine:
«The vaccination campaign has started successfully» says Lévy. She refers to the 3.64% of the CH population who has already been vaccinated. «The vaccination of the first risk group (75+) continues. The cantons show solidarity with one another and help one another.»

«Our strategy was successful» says Lévy. The vaccine producers that were counted on are the right companies. «The federal government and the cantons are on track. In an international comparison, 3.64 percent is a good number.»

The hospital staff is still under pressure. 70 percent of all intensive care beds are still occupied, 29 percent of all occupied beds are due to Covid. «There is still an excess of mortality to be recorded» says Mathys. «This is mainly due to the coronavirus.»

However, the R value has risen again and is now back at 0.98. «This means that a further reduction in the number of cases can hardly be achieved» says the BAG.

"If the R value remains at this level, we will only move sideways, the numbers will no longer fall." Mathys therefore calls on you to adhere to the hygiene and distance rules. "The new variants are easier to transfer, so an even greater effort is required."

The British variant continues to spread. There are currently 1,111 confirmed cases, 57 of which are due to the South Africa mutation - with around 1,500 samples it is unclear which mutation it is.

«In the canton Geneva, 40% of all cases can be assigned to one of the two new variants, especially the British one,” says Mathys.

«However, we cannot give any reliable information on whether the new variants are responsible for the fact that the numbers no longer fall as quickly. But it is not unlikely.»

From February 8th, all people entering Switzerland (with the exception of cross-border commuters) must fill out an entry form. «The purpose of collecting the data is to enable us to quickly implement the isolation measures» says Mathys.

About the initial vaccination plan:
«We cannot meet our goals for February» says the BAG, referring to the delivery bottlenecks. «But we will catch up again.»

«We welcome it if the cantons do mass testings» says Lévy. «We still have a test rate that is too low, the canton of Graubünden has played a pioneering role here and it is wise that this should continue.»

Lévy also welcomes weekly tests in schools. «When in doubt, it is wise to test,» says Lévy.

Mathys: «From March, the new variant will be the dominant variant in Switzerland. The number of cases could then increase rapidly and significantly.»

What is the BAG's assessment of the measures taken on January 18?
«The effect is still positive» says Mathys. «The question is whether the measures are enough to contain the new variant.»

Other countries talk about easing the measures. What about Switzerland?
«There is no defined system for when easing should be considered» says Mathys. «There is no reason to think about easing now.»

From which R value is no further growth possible?
"A value of 0.6 would be good," says Mathys. "We were once close to 0.8, but not sustainable."

About children: «It is true that there have been some outbreaks in schools recently. Science has also brought new knowledge in this regard. We do not know exactly how the situation in schools is. But it is clear that closing schools would have a major impact on society.»

Are hospitals now increasingly performing other interventions again?
«That is definitely a possibility» says Mathys. «Around 20,000 operations have been postponed and will have to be rescheduled. There are also more accidents in the winter season.»

Should companies that employ cross-border workers have to test them?
«We don't see any reasons why we should treat cross-border commuters differently than other employees» says Lévy.

Are school closings disucssed now?
«At the moment, the cantons are in the lead. Many measures other than school closings are no longer possible. There are, for example, restrictions on mobility abroad. But we are not ready to discuss it in concrete terms.»

“We still recommend that FFP2 masks should not be used for the general public,” says Mathys. "But it can be useful in special settings." The BAG does not recommend wearing FFP2 masks in schools.

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