ZURICH (Reuters) – Three-quarters of a nursing home’s residents and 50 % its staff have been infected with the coronavirus variant first observed in Britain, a Swiss regional government stated on Thursday.
The Italian-talking canton of Ticino reported a collection of infections occurred in speedy succession as properly as a re-an infection. This prompted health and fitness officials to perform genetic sequencing, which verified the British variant was circulating.
“This sweep exam had verified a swift spread of the outbreak, with all-around 50 % the personnel and three-quarters of the attendees favourable, inspite of the protective actions set in position,” the cantonal authorities mentioned in a statement.
“The residence for the aged has meanwhile been closed for visits.”
Switzerland has described dozens of circumstances of the hugely infectious British variant, which include in the mountain city of Wengen. There, a solitary British tourist is believed to have brought the mutated virus into the location, ensuing in the cancellation of World Cup ski races this weekend.
The Ticino govt did not launch the number of individuals linked to the nursing household outbreak, or say no matter whether there have been any fatalities or hospitalisations.
“It is great to bear in mind that the English pressure of the virus is not a lot more severe, but extra contagious,” the canton stated. “It for that reason necessitates much more intense get in touch with monitoring to stay away from its distribute as a lot as probable.”
On Wednesday, Switzerland declared stricter measures such as keep closures in a bid to minimize contacts amid fears that the British and other variants could promptly unfold and overwhelm hospital and health care infrastructure.
Reporting by John Miller Modifying by Angus MacSwan