Infectiologist: There are more corona patients in the hospital

According to the chief infectious diseases doctor of Winterthur Cantonal Hospital, the new Covid variant BA.2.86 has the potential to cause a wave of infections. “Since mid-August, we have consistently had about four to six patients hospitalized with or because of Covid.”

Usually these are old people with comorbidities such as cardiac arrhythmias or heart failure, says Urs Karrer in an interview with “NZZ am Sonntag”. Nowadays, however, people rarely die as a result of a corona infection. According to the ex-vice president of the Covid-19 task force, people over 65 and young people with previous chronic diseases should be tested.

The new Corona variant is not spreading particularly quickly so far, Karrer says. Previous data also does not indicate that this leads to serious illness. Karrer recommended that people at risk and those with Long Covid receive a booster vaccination to prevent risks.

“I do not expect that more than 75 percent of the population will become infected within a short period of time, as was the case in the winter of 2022,” said Karrer. “But I believe Covid still has the potential to cause a serious wave where 20 to 30 percent of the population could become infected. This will be felt in hospitals, retirement homes and GP practices. With Covid, I wouldn’t be surprised if it started in November or December.” (sda)