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The top cantonal doctor, Rudolf Hauri, has not yet given the green light. He doesn’t believe in the turnaround, but he expects Corona’s autumn wave to rise soon. One reason is the new Omikron BQ.1.1 variant.
Corona’s autumn wave is easing. The Federal Office of Public Health reported 30,305 new cases in one week. About 7000 less than a week ago. But still almost double what it was a month ago. Officially, more than 4000 new cases are registered every day. The number of unreported cases is likely to be much higher.
The individual cantons have recently tightened crown measures, for example with the return to the compulsory mask in hospitals or retirement homes. The cantonal directors of health, on the other hand, await with new recommendations for measures. In the interview with Blick, the top doctor in the canton, Rudolf Hauri (62), also supports this course. However, he does not rule out a selective return to the obligation of the mask.
Blick: Mr. Hauri, after several weeks of rising, the crown numbers have decreased again. Is this the turnaround?
Rudolf Hauri: It is too early to give the green light. I would not describe development as a decline, but rather as a stagnation. It can also be a kind of intermediate plateau. We will only know in about two weeks. The still high positivity rate also indicates a high number of unreported cases. In real terms, five to six times more people are likely to be infected with the corona virus than officially confirmed, which is over 20,000 people every day.
There have been autumn holidays in many cantons, does it have any effect?
It is quite possible. Perhaps fewer people were tested during the fall holidays. In any case, the number of cases is destined to increase again in the coming weeks, even if only for seasonal reasons. The peak of the autumn wave has certainly not yet been reached.
So are you worried about Corona?
Currently no. What worries me the most is that in addition to the increase in corona cases, a stronger flu wave is to be expected this year. There are other cold viruses as well. Among other things, probably because masks are worn less often. Cumulatively, this should place a significantly heavier burden on hospitals, but also on medical practices. The experiences in Australia also demonstrate this, where the winter season is coming to an end.
So the hospitals are returning to the attack?
The burden is already high, not because of Corona, but because there isn’t enough staff. However, if the number of cases increases, hospitalizations are likely to increase again. However, the intensive care units are no longer expected to come on the attack because of the Corona as has happened in the past couple of years. There is currently no indication that there will be a huge overload. This also has to do with the high immunity of around 97% of the population. As a result, serious diseases have become rarer. We have a completely 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 previous Omikron variants and is expected to take over in Switzerland as well in the coming weeks. It will give wings to the current corona wave again. However, so far there is no evidence that it also leads to more serious courses. There will certainly be more new variations. However, I don’t think there will be another tipping point that will throw everything overboard.
“Less severe routes”: Health directors do not yet see the need for action(01:56)
The cantonal directors of health are refraining from new protective measures for the time being. As a senior cantonal doctor, do you think this is correct?
The current derogation does not mean that developments are not closely monitored. Just as little that there will be no recommendations for new measures later on. And certainly not that you’re giving the green light already. The pandemic is certainly not over yet. But waiting is understandable and justifiable.
Also from a medical point of view?
Yes, because the population now knows how to protect themselves. Anyone can wear a mask voluntarily. I have noticed that masks are worn more and more on public transport or that distance is kept more often 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 healthcare facilities or retirement homes can also assess for themselves whether they should wear masks or not. The Cantonal Medical Association has therefore not asked for new measures.
So you no longer expect the mask requirement to come back?
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 masks will certainly be at the top of the list. If the situation unfolds in an unfavorable way, I can well imagine that the masks will again be mandatory in some internal areas or on the occasion of larger events. Perhaps also in cantonal public transport, although a national regulation would make more sense in this area. However, I don’t expect a return to the mask obligation across the board. Rather in the more restricted area, such as in health facilities.
Do you wear the mask more often?
Yes, for example at peak times with public transport. But also at events with many people if the risk situation cannot be accurately assessed. In any case, I always have a mask with me, just in case. I recommend it to everybody. If you want to play it safe, you should already be wearing a mask. And, of course, we recommend booster vaccination, especially for people over 65 and other risk groups.
Crown infections on the rise: In Germany the most severe measures prevail(02:12)
From 10 October, the second booster is available free of charge for everyone aged 16 and over. However, many still seem hesitant. How do you explain the reluctance?
The opportunity for the second booster vaccination is seized, but there is no rush. In the canton of Zug, for example, several hundred vaccinations are administered every day. There are various reasons why people hesitate about the second booster vaccination: they have been fully vaccinated three times and feel well protected, have recently been infected or want to wait for the last vaccine.
One gets the impression that Corona no longer worries people.
Yes, Corona has lost its horror. Because we got used to the pandemic. Because dominant variants are believed to cause less severe diseases. And because we know how to deal with it and protect ourselves. But even when the horror is over, we must maintain respect for the virus. Especially in view of hospitals, who either don’t want a new wave of corona patients or may just make it. And above all in view of outpatient facilities such as medical offices, which are also already widely used today.
Finally: when will the pandemic finally end?
It is impossible to say exactly. The corona virus will keep us busy for a long time to come. However, I expect it will greatly lose its importance in everyday life over the course of 2023. Another question is when the WHO will officially declare the pandemic over.
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