Every few minutes a bird coughs in the open-plan office. The child has a cold at home. The friend cancels the dinner because she is down.
Welcome, cold season.
Yesterday, Wednesday, the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) launched a new information portal for communicable diseases. Here you will find: Data on cases of infection and illness, as well as other respiratory viruses, including influenza and Covid-19.
The BAC figures confirm the subjective picture: respiratory infections are increasing. Important to know: the autumn wave of Covid-19 is currently increasing. At a significantly lower level than in previous years.
Everything is clear for the seasonal flu wave. This has not yet started, as can be seen from the information portal. Doctor visits for flu-like illnesses remain consistent compared to the previous two weeks. There has been only a slight increase in the number of positive flu laboratory reports.
And yet: Compared to the years before Corona, more patients went to the doctor in recent weeks. This is due to a flu-like illness, as this graph shows:
In concrete terms: There are currently 50.93 sick people per 100,000 inhabitants. In the pre-Corona years there were significantly fewer in the same calendar week. The exception: the first Corona winter 2020/21. There were 115.73 sick people per 100,000 inhabitants.
“The number of consultations for flu-like illnesses this season is comparable to the development of the past two years,” says BAG spokesperson Simon Ming, but is still above pre-pandemic expectations.
Rudolf Hauri, top cantonal doctor, also confirms:
Why is that? The coronavirus plays a role in this. “Overall, the infection rate related to SARS-CoV-2 actually increases between August and November,” Hauri said. According to BAC monitoring, SARS-CoV-2 and rhinoviruses are currently circulating most frequently.
Hauri also confirms that the seasonal flu wave has not yet started. The canton’s top doctor says: “However, that could change quickly because the increase in flu-like illnesses is comparable to the development of the past three seasons and above the expected pre-pandemic value for this time of year.”
According to Hauri, the population’s immunity is waning to some extent, which is likely important because several respiratory viruses were circulating and multiplying. We also spend less time outdoors and transmission is more likely indoors.
“The actual size is difficult to estimate and depends on various factors,” says Hauri. These factors include, for example, the type and extent of the mutations in the viruses. Whether and to what extent immunity decreases and how well people protect themselves with non-pharmaceutical measures such as keeping their distance.
According to Hauri, there is one positive point to note: “A mutation-related pronounced exacerbation of the pathogenic properties of SARS-CoV-2 has not been observed for a long time and is currently not being detected.” The BAG puts it this way: “It is not possible to make precise statements about how the winter season will develop,” says spokesperson Ming.
“You only reach those patients who actually go to the doctor. Only they are included in the reports,” says BAG spokesperson Ming. This is an inherent problem with all surveillance systems. This year is no different than previous years.
This means that the statistics do not provide exact figures about how many people are actually sick at the moment.
Hauri dismisses it: “Epidemiologists basically expect a seasonal increase in respiratory diseases.” The current development is therefore not surprising.
The BAG also states that an increase in respiratory viruses can be expected in the colder months and the beginning of the winter season.
With the hygiene measures that we have all learned and applied during the corona pandemic: “Stay at home!”, as Health Minister Alain Berset had preached as a mantra. Plus this catchy tune:
And: Only cough and sneeze into the crook of your arm.
Also: Wear a mask indoors. This provides the best protection, as has now been amply proven.
Source: Watson
I am Dawid Malan, a news reporter for 24 Instant News. I specialize in celebrity and entertainment news, writing stories that capture the attention of readers from all walks of life. My work has been featured in some of the world’s leading publications and I am passionate about delivering quality content to my readers.
