Other countries have already celebrated the mountain festival in terms of Omikron, in Switzerland we are only in the middle of the wave. Despite the high number of cases in connection with the corona virus, Manuel Battegay (61), infectiologist at the University Hospital in Basel, is “cautiously optimistic” compared to the “Sonntagszeitung”.
However, the doctor does not give a complete all-clear, one has to “really be careful” in the current situation. In an interview, he appealed again to the population, stressed the importance of vaccinations against the corona virus – and even called for a mask requirement in situations such as at the Lauberhorn race.
People at risk should no longer go to the restaurant
“In the case of major events, however, you have to think very carefully about whether you want to take part in the next two to four weeks,” Battegay points out. “People should think of themselves and take responsibility. And the organizers should think carefully about how they can prevent the spread of the virus from being unnecessarily further fueled.” The infectiologist thinks that a mask requirement would be “reasonable” in connection with singing, loudly cheering crowds.
The omicron variant is definitely to blame for the extremely high number of corona cases. This would determine and specify a great deal, “but not everything”. Therefore, the following applies: “We must not behave passively because of this, but we should still counter the circulating virus as actively as possible.” What does that mean specifically? “Vaccination is the most important thing. It hurts me if someone exposes themselves to the omicron virus without being vaccinated!” According to Battegay, people with risks and without a booster vaccination should also refrain from going to restaurants, for example. “Because for them, the risk of a severe course is much higher, even with omicron.”
Infectiologist sees Switzerland at the “transition to endemic”
Omicron differs from previous variants of the coronavirus in many aspects. According to Battegay, this was to be expected. “Infectiologists and virologists shouldn’t be surprised. The flu virus is extremely variable, and the HI virus can theoretically change completely every day.” He expects that more virus variants will come, but these will probably have a harder time than, for example, Omicron. The reason: “Because of the high overall immunity of the population, the virus has to make compromises and find a way.” However, the infectiologist no longer expects a “giant leap”. Because the higher the overall immunity of the population, the less virulent future virus variants could become.
Although Battegay holds up the warning finger, he also promises good news. He confirms that one would be at the transition from pandemic to endemic. However, one cannot give the all-clear, it is quite possible that “we have another mountain ahead of us”. The healthcare system could come under further pressure in the coming weeks. “But I would also like to express a cautious optimism. The path that Switzerland took two years and for which we paid a high price in the second wave, this path has meant that the overall immunity in the population could already be high enough that the burden on the health system is not even higher will.” (chs)
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