At the start of summer, the Covid-19 is making a strong comeback in Europe and Switzerland, with in particular an increase of nearly 50% in one week in our country. A rather unexpected timing, noted epidemiologist Julien Riou in 7:30 p.m. Friday. However, the symptoms remain mild.
It may well be the surprise guest of this early summer: the Covid-19 is making a comeback.
With 10,289 new cases in seven days in Switzerland, there is a 48.2% increase in cases in one week. In this period of time, we deplore 4 deaths and 107 hospitalizations. The reproduction rate of the virus is again higher than 1.14.
>> Read also: The number of coronavirus cases on the rise over a week in Switzerland
Low contamination levels
For epidemiologist Julien Riou, it is possible that we are witnessing “the beginning of a sixth wave”. “The levels of contamination remain quite low, but the fact that this new wave is arriving this summer and not this fall is unexpected,” he said.
The two sub-variants of Omicron, BA4 and BA5, which already represent a quarter of samples taken in Switzerland, explain the emergence of this new wave. “They have the ability to evade immunity and reinfect people who were already infected with Omicron last winter,” says the scientist.
>> The details of 7:30 p.m.:
Same symptoms as Omicron
These variants have identical symptoms to Omicron and are no more dangerous than Omicron. They began to be identified as early as February in South Africa and Portugal.
The latter country is the current epicenter of this new wave. The epidemic there has started to rise again since the end of May and the cases are exploding despite a well-vaccinated population. In the aftermath, the variant spread throughout Europe.
The opportunity for Julien Riou to recall the importance of barrier gestures and wearing a mask in the presence of vulnerable people or when you have symptoms yourself. “The fact that people are testing themselves less also hinders the monitoring of the epidemic,” he specifies.
>> Read also: The booster vaccination against Covid-19 for travel will be chargeable
kkub/hkr with ats