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Slovakia postpones mass testing nationwide
Slovakia is gradually moving away from its nationwide crown mass testing strategy. Prime Minister Igor Matovic announced, after internal government disagreements, that the new mass tests of the crown at the national level scheduled for the first weekend of December on almost the entire population would be postponed indefinitely.
The Zmos Association of Cities and Municipalities has requested that such tests at the national level no longer be carried out. Instead, future testing campaigns should focus on particularly vulnerable population groups.
Corona statistics released Thursday by health authorities showed that the number of new infections increased slightly again despite mass testing. Opponents of mass testing had already warned that short-term decreases in new infections were not due to testing, but to a partial block in October.
Slovakia carried out corona mass tests across the country on October 31 and November 1.
Keystone
Western Switzerland teachers require more staff and resources
Teachers in French-speaking Switzerland are “exhausted” due to the numerous new guidelines and additional tasks caused by the coronavirus pandemic. To avoid a “collapse of the school system”, the teachers’ association of French-speaking Switzerland is asking for more staff and additional funds.
Applying protective concepts, caring for quarantined or sick students, compensating for the absence of colleagues, supervising their substitutes or training them in the use of new digital tools: the coronavirus crisis has placed many other tasks on teachers, he writes in a statement. the Association of Teachers of Western Switzerland (SER).
The teachers, but also the school management and the administrative and technical staff are “very tired”. “The lack of clarity and the numerous changes to the guidelines only aggravate the problem”, underlines the association.
End of the press conference
The press conference is over. We thank you for your attention. We will keep you updated here.
When can you expect the vaccine?
The question is asked when a vaccine can be expected. Claus Bolte (Swissmedic) says: “We know when the necessary data from clinical trials should arrive. If the requirements are met, it will take a few weeks before approval can take place. “
Berset adds that it doesn’t matter when it’s the start. The deciding factor is when vaccines are available in greater quantities. “It won’t be until spring. But it can be assumed that if all goes well, we will expect the first doses towards the end of January. That would mean we could start then, but with very small amounts. “
Therefore it cannot be assumed that it will be possible to vaccinate a large mass of the population very quickly. Because this is a huge logistical exercise. “And the big volumes come later,” says Berset.
“We certainly won’t get out of the pandemic alone this winter,” says Berset. But he thinks that from spring there will be a good mix with better weather and the development of vaccinations. People are more out again, so there are fewer broadcasts.
Only when there are large quantities of the vaccine can something be said about the development. “There are positive assumptions, but what it looks like in practice is another question,” says Berset.
High positive rate: what are the cantons doing?
Regarding the high positivity rates and the cantonal question, Engelberger says: “Everyone is pursuing the same goal. Maintain testing skills high and motivate the population to get tested. At best, people worry about the consequences. But it would be wrong to give up a test. “The organization works so far in the cantons, but the population must be even more motivated to test the smaller symptoms.
How many doses are available at the beginning?
When asked how many doses of the vaccine are available at first, Berset says you are well positioned. Nora Kronig (BAG) adds that she has contracts with three manufacturers (Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Moderna). “We have binding reservations on vaccines at Pfizer. The contract is being concluded. ”The contracts have been concluded with Moderna and AstraZeneca.
Manufacturers would be able to deliver the cans quickly. “We have completed the work and the agreements.” Now the cans should arrive, they would be staggered. This is one of the clauses that have been negotiated.
Claus Bolte (Swissmedic) adds: “How fast we will be depends on how fast we receive vaccine data from manufacturers.” The pace of approval will determine how quickly individuals can be vaccinated.
Rapid tests in nursing and retirement homes?
BAG expert Virginie Masserey is currently discussing rapid tests in nursing and senior homes. And it is being considered whether this would be useful. Pilot projects already exist in some cantons. It is a question of establishing the criteria. So you have to agree on how to interpret the results and what steps to take. And you have to see for what results a PCR test should be done.
For Lukas Engelberger, a quick test would be a good way. The proposal had already been made in Basel.
More coordination between the cantons concerned?
Question: The cantons of western Switzerland have tried to coordinate their efforts to close restaurants. Would that be conceivable in German-speaking Switzerland?
Engelberger: “We in northwestern Switzerland are also trying to coordinate. In Basel-Stadt we have the strictest measures in the region. This is necessary when an entire region is similarly affected. But we can take western Switzerland as an example ».
Prioritize vaccinations
Who should be vaccinated first? This discussion has already begun, Berset said. But this depends a lot on the effectiveness of the product. “We are working very hard to establish this priority,” says expert Nora Kronig. It depends on the vaccine and the results that have yet to be obtained. It appears that the older population and groups at risk will have priority.
Is pressure building up to vaccinate?
Engelberger: “I don’t see that we want to use any form of coercion. We believe that the population will want to be vaccinated. The impatience is enormous to leave the Corona issue behind. “The desire to overcome it is greater than skepticism about it. But it depends on how good and reliable the vaccine is. Swissmedic also has an excellent reputation when it comes to vaccinations. “I am optimistic that it will be possible without being obligatory. But there will be public pressure, for example when traveling.”
At the cost of vaccination
As for the cost of vaccination, says Berset: The plan would be for the federal government to pay a very proud amount, for health insurers to pay an amount, and for the cantons to provide an amount. The goal is to have a free vaccination.
Is Switzerland the only country with open ski areas?
Question: We don’t know yet if we can ski in Switzerland. Switzerland would be the only country with open ski areas.
Alain Berset: “We have to discuss it with the cantons concerned. The concepts of protection must be applied perfectly. We saw photos that we didn’t like very much. But the concepts really have to work. “
If only the ski resorts in Switzerland were open, this would lead to political tensions, but it would also impact the population, as Berset explains. “We need to discuss it with the cantons. We are independent and can decide for ourselves whether to leave the ski areas open. But we know what is at stake. The situation must not get out of hand. “
And the concepts of protection in ski areas?
“I’ve heard from the cantons with major winter tourism that they take it very seriously and closely monitor the political situation,” said Engelberger. As a skier, it depends on the concepts of protection you adhere to. According to experts, the concepts are apparently very good.
Contact with neighboring countries regarding ski areas
Question: Will you contact the governments of neighboring countries regarding Swiss ski resorts?
Alain Berset: “We are in constant contact with neighboring countries, it is going very well. Here in Switzerland it has developed positively, albeit asymmetrically in some parts of the country. We have to work with the cantons to see what is feasible in Switzerland. “There are two weeks of Christmas holidays, the main challenge is the end of December.
Engelberger: “There are still intensive care beds”
As for the situation in hospitals and nursing homes, it could be said that these institutions and their employees are working hard. He wanted to thank them for their commitment, says Engelberger. Thanks to these efforts, there is the necessary capacity. There are still intensive care beds that are available. But the situation is tense.
No compulsory vaccination, not compulsory
Lukas Engelberger says that even if the situation is still there, there are rays of hope: the declining trend in cases shows that the population is participating. The medical directors thanked them for this.
Furthermore, the vaccines were close at hand. “We are planning that now, a lot depends on which vaccines get to the Swissmedic test,” says Engelberger.
The clear goal is: vaccination must be free, the cantons and health insurance companies want to share the costs among themselves. At GDK it is clear that there is no mandatory or mandatory vaccination. One is optimistic that people want to be vaccinated.
Engelberger: “The situation is still serious”
Lukas Engelberger, president of the cantonal directors of health (GDK), took the floor. On 22 October he said the situation was very serious. 5000 cases were reported that day. Today we are at 4,500 cases. This is an improvement, but the assessment remains the same: “The situation is still serious”. Too many people were still infected.
“It is not yet time to talk about a general easing of measures. The economy must also be aware of this ”, underlined the president of GDK. Now you shouldn’t relax so as not to run into a third wave. Cooperation between the Confederation and the cantons will continue to be necessary.
Try a lot more
Berset says: “We have to try a lot more than today.” The positivity rate remains high, too high. Not all positive cases are currently discovered. “Let yourself be tested, even with the smallest symptoms,” Berset points out. The BAG will also launch an awareness campaign.
Other countries are doing mass testing, but it would be a huge exercise, Berset said. “This would not be possible in Switzerland, not even with rapid tests.” It could apply to schools or nursing homes.
Vaccination should be free
Berset says the goal is for the vaccination to be free. It is an excellent logistical exercise. The Confederation carries out the central purchases and guarantees distribution to the cantons by the army. The cantons are therefore responsible for implementation so that the population can be vaccinated quickly. Because in the beginning there won’t be enough vaccines for everyone.
The cantons are responsible for vaccinations
Berset explains that distribution to the cantons will also be ensured. It will be done with the army. The cantons are responsible for implementation, so that the population can be vaccinated quickly.
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