The first regions are preparing for the Corona winter – all with different measures: the spirit of the canton strikes again

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It’s still not over. A new corona mutation has been making the news for weeks. “EG.5 is considered one of the fastest growing sublines and has therefore been observed more closely since the beginning of the summer,” says the Federal Office of Public Health (BAG). Cases have increased again in the past week. The number of hospital admissions is also increasing slightly.

The first cantons and cities are now preparing for a new Corona winter. But it is already clear: the spirit of the canton is striking again. Other measures are being taken across the country to counter a possible flare-up of a pandemic – or none at all.

Residents of Zurich can again get tested for free

The population of Zurich can be tested for Covid-19 free of charge from September to December. This was announced by the city council of Zurich on Monday. She estimates the cost of the four-month pilot project at CHF 300,000.

Since the beginning of this year, only medically ordered Covid-19 tests have been invoiced by the health insurer. With the abolition of free tests, an important measure to contain the corona virus is missing, argues the Zurich city council. The free tests are intended to promote private prevention measures to prevent contamination in your own environment.

The tests are performed at the Center for Travel Medicine. Appointments can now be booked through the registration tool there. The offer applies to all residents of the city with complaints or who have had contact with people who tested positive.

Wide range of measures

Basel-Stadt takes a different approach. To keep an eye on the development of the coronavirus, she has been using so-called wastewater screening for some time. At the same time, authorities are in close contact with hospitals to detect an increase in cases at an early stage.

However, the people of Basel do not provide free tests like those of the city of Zurich. “We consider vaccination to be the greatest protection,” says the health department at Blick’s request. To support the federal vaccination advice in the autumn, Basel therefore wants to supplement the federal contribution for vaccinations in doctors’ practices and pharmacies with cantonal contributions.

And then there are, for example, the cantons of Bern and St. Gallen. They don’t seem to believe in another Covid wave in winter. In any case, the two do not plan any new protective measures. Switzerland threatens to become another patchwork in the fight against corona. (dba)

Source:Blick