The Corona autumn wave is ebbing away. The Federal Office of Health reported 30,305 new cases within a week. About 7,000 less than a week ago. But still almost twice as much as a month ago. Officially, there are currently more than 4000 new cases registered every day. The number of unreported cases is probably much higher.
Individual cantons have recently tightened the corona measures, for example with a return to the mask obligation in hospitals or retirement homes. The cantonal health directors, on the other hand, are waiting with new recommendations for measures. In the Blick interview, the top canton doctor, Rudolf Hauri (62), also supported this course. However, he does not rule out a selective return to the mask requirement.
Blick: Mr. Hauri, after a few weeks of rising, the corona figures have fallen again. Is this the trend reversal?
Rudolf Hauri: It’s too early to make everything clear. I would not describe the development as falling, but rather as stagnation. It can also be a kind of intermediate plateau. We won’t know for two weeks. The still high positivity rate also points to a high number of unreported cases. In real terms, there’s a good chance that five to six times more people will be infected with the coronavirus than has been officially confirmed – that’s more than 20,000 people a day.
In many cantons there were autumn holidays, does that have an effect?
It is very possible. Fewer people may have been tested during the autumn break. In any case, the number of cases is likely to increase again in the coming weeks, if only for seasonal reasons. The peak of the autumn wave has certainly not yet been reached.
So are you worried about Corona?
Not now. What worries me more is that in addition to an increase in the number of corona cases, a stronger flu wave is expected this year. There are also other cold viruses. Probably because masks are worn less often. In summary, this should lead to a significantly heavier burden on hospitals, but also on medical practices. This is also apparent from the experiences in Australia, where the winter season is currently coming to an end.
Are hospitals back on the attack?
The burden is already high – not because of Corona, but because there is not enough staff. However, if the number of cases increases, hospitalizations are likely to increase again. However, because of Corona, the intensive care units should no longer go on the offensive as they have done for the past two years. There are currently no indications that there will be a massive overload. This also has to do with the high immunity of about 97 percent of the population. Serious illnesses have become rarer as a result. We have a very different starting point than in 2020 or 2021.
A new variant is currently making headlines with BQ.1.1. What impact will this have?
This new variant is more contagious than the previous Omikron variants and should also prevail in Switzerland in the coming weeks. It will give wings to the current corona wave. However, so far there is no evidence that it also leads to a more severe course. There will certainly be more new variants. However, I don’t think there will be another game changer that throws everything overboard.
The cantonal health directors are abstaining from new protective measures for the time being. As a senior canton needle, do you think that’s right?
The current exemption does not mean that developments are not closely monitored. Nor will there be any recommendations for new measures in the near future. And certainly not that you are completely clear. The pandemic is certainly not over yet. But waiting is understandable and justified.
Also medically?
Yes, because the population now knows how to protect themselves. Anyone can voluntarily wear a mask. I notice that more and more face masks are being worn in public transport or that people are more likely to keep a distance when greeting people. This shows that the population has learned how to deal with the virus in almost three years of the pandemic. Institutions such as care institutions or retirement homes can also assess for themselves whether or not they should wear a face mask. The Cantonal Physicians Association has therefore not called for new measures.
Do you no longer expect that the mask obligation will return?
The mask is the simplest, fastest, cheapest and most effective tool in the fight against the pandemic. If new measures are needed, the obligation to wear face masks will certainly be at the top of the list. If the situation develops unfavorably, I can well imagine that mouth caps will be mandatory again in certain indoor areas or at larger events. Perhaps even in cantonal public transport – although a national regulation in this area would make more sense. However, I don’t expect a return to the mask requirement across the board. Rather in the narrower area, such as in healthcare institutions.
Do you put the mask on yourself more often?
Yes, for example during rush hour in public transport. But also at events with many people if the risk situation cannot be accurately estimated. In any case, I always have a mask with me – just in case. I recommend that to everyone. If you want to be on the safe side, you should already be wearing a mask. And of course we recommend the booster vaccination, especially for people over 65 and other high-risk groups.
Since October 10, the second booster is available for free for everyone aged 16 and over. Yet many still seem hesitant. How do you explain the reluctance?
The opportunity for the second booster vaccination is seized, but there is no hurry. In the canton of Zug, for example, several hundred vaccinations are administered every day. There are several reasons why people are hesitant about the second booster vaccination: they have been fully vaccinated three times and feel well protected, they have been recently infected or they want to wait for the latest vaccine.
One gets the impression that Corona no longer worries people.
Yes, Corona has lost its horror. Because we have become accustomed to the pandemic. Because the dominant variants are thought to lead to less serious diseases. And because we know how to deal with it and protect ourselves. But even when the horror is over, we must still respect the virus. Certainly with a view to the hospitals, which do not want or simply cannot handle a new wave of corona patients. And especially in view of the outpatient structures such as doctor’s practices, which are already used intensively today.
Finally, when will the pandemic finally end?
It’s impossible to say exactly. The corona virus will keep us busy for a long time. However, I expect it to lose its importance in everyday life tremendously in the course of 2023. Another question is when the WHO will officially declare the pandemic over.