Twice the numbers: This is how virus mutations spread in Switzerland
Published
The last 6003 infections with a virus mutation were registered in Switzerland. The focus is now on western Switzerland, says an expert.
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A graphic shows the spread of the corona mutations in Switzerland.
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The British variant has been found most frequently.
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In Switzerland, however, the number of cases continues to decline.
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However, the numbers should be treated with caution, so an expert.
The spread of the corona mutations is difficult to stop even in Switzerland. The Federal Department of Home Affairs (FDHA) and the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) announced on Monday that the last 6003 infections with a virus mutation were registered in Switzerland. The British variant accounted for the largest proportion of these (2381 cases), while 96 cases of the South African variant were reported, as the following graphic shows. Data has been available since February and only for the working days.
What is clear is that the British mutation has been the most common so far. On Monday alone, the bag reported 270 new cases that could be assigned to the only variant. This means that the classic variant of the corona virus will soon be displaced, explains the Ticino infectiologist Andreas Cerny. “This is due to the fact that the Britain, Brazil and the South African variant are likely to be transmitted more quickly and easily. This is not an extraordinary phenomenon in biology. ” What is special, however, is that new variants could die in a third wave, as has been seen in England or Ireland, because they spread much faster than the classic variant.
Numbers should be enjoyed cautiously
In the canton of Geneva, however, it is currently evident that the mutations do not necessarily have to lead to an explosion in the number of cases. In the canton of Geneva, the British variant was responsible for around 75 percent of the infection rate last week. However, the epidemiological situation remained stable and the positivity rate fell.
However, these numbers should be treated with caution, says Cerny. “The reason for the falling number of cases is the strong measures that are currently dying in Switzerland. This should actually reduce the number of cases even more, which, however, does not happen due to the mutations. If one were to put up with the measures now, the number of cases would quickly increase again. ” With the new variants, a doubling time of ten days is assumed.
Germany is tough on mutations
Germany also recorded a sharp increase in mutations. According to the German data scientist Cornelius Römer, 829 cases of the most common variant have already been detected in the state of Baden-Württemberg alone. In order to get the mutations under control, Germany tightened entry controls for travelers from areas with many mutations such as Tyrol and the Czech Republic. Entry is only allowed to people who are German or who have their place of residence in Germany. There are few exceptions.
Infectiologist Cerny advises patience here. “Everyone is now watching what is happening in the places where there are many mutations. That is why in Switzerland, Western Switzerland is now also in the public eye. ” Depending on how the number of cases in these areas changes, one will react differently. “If the cases do not increase, it is clear that the measures will be carefully relaxed. If, on the other hand, the number of cases increases, stronger measures will have to be taken again. “
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