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Omicron variant present in Zurich since November

Analysis of wastewater shows the Omicron variant has been present in Zurich since mid-November, earlier than previously thought.

Published: 5 January 2022 17:32 CET
Wastewater analysis shows Omicron was prevalent in Switzerland's largest canton of Zurich earlier than previously thought. Image by Michal Jarmoluk from Pixabay
Wastewater analysis shows Omicron was prevalent in Switzerland's largest canton of Zurich earlier than previously thought. Image by Michal Jarmoluk from Pixabay

Experts at the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (EAWAG), part of the Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH) Zurich, said residues of the Omicron Covid-19 variant were detected in the canton’s wastewater as early as mid-November 2021. 

The researchers made the announcement on January 5th, telling Swiss broadcaster SRF that signs of the variant were detected at the Werdhölzli water supply station in Zurich. 

The variant, which was first detected in South Africa, was first identified in Switzerland in late November in the cantons of Geneva and Basel, but was not detected in Zurich until early November. 

READ MORE: First Omicron cases detected in Switzerland

By December 28th, the variant was dominant in Switzerland. The variant is also dominant in the canton of Zurich, Switzerland’s largest, and has an approximate 60 percent share of new infections. 

The variant is believed to be more infectious and spread much easier than known variants of the virus, although some early suggestions indicate it may lead to more mild courses of Covid disease. 

Wastewater analysis has proven to be a useful tool to determine the prevalence of Covid-19 in particular regions, along with the spread of new variants of the virus. 

READ MORE: Omicron officially dominant in Switzerland

Although the variant is now dominant in Switzerland, having replaced the Delta variant, Swiss authorities have previously come under criticism for failing to undertake sufficient sequencing to determine how widespread new Covid variants really are. 

Omicron spread leads to fear of shutdown 

Omicron-led staff shortages are becoming a major problem in Switzerland. This how Swiss companies plan to operate with diminished workforces.

As the highly contagious Omicron variant continues to spread rapidly through the country, it impacts not only the epidemiological situation, but also the economy.

Absenteeism in essential industries is particularly high and is placing Switzerland’s critical infrastructure at risk. 

As at January 4th, 70,302 infected people are in isolation, and additional 31,281 are in quarantine after a close contact with a contaminated person, according to Federal Office of Public Health.

In total, over 101,500 individuals are currently confined and the number is expected to increase, health officials say.

READ MORE: How Switzerland wants to prevent an Omicron shutdown

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COVID-19

What does the increase in the number of Covid cases in Switzerland mean?

Coronavirus infections are on the rise again, with Swiss health officials and epidemiologists expressing concern over the possible evolution of the disease.

Published: 15 November 2023 15:32 CET
What does the increase in the number of Covid cases in Switzerland mean?

While the worst of the Covid pandemic is long over, and experts don’t expect it to re-emerge with the same strength and health consequences as it had in 2020, new cases have been reported in the past weeks.

Wastewater analysis, one of the means employed by health officials to measure the presence of coronavirus, indicates a viral load that is at least five times higher than usual, with values “now almost as high as in some previous Omicron-related waves,” Christoph Ort, spokesperson for Eawag Institute, which traces Covid viruses in 14 wastewater treatment plants in Switzerland, told the media.

What does this mean?

According to Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH), the most common sub-variant in Switzerland right now is the highly transmissible XBB, also known as ‘Kraken.’

The Eris and Pirola variants, which circulated in the summer and early fall are also still present.

While none is nearly as dangerous (at least for most people) as the early Alpha and Delta viruses, which claimed hundreds of thousands of lives in the early stages of the pandemic, there is a reason for concern nevertheless.

“It’s a start of a small wave,” said Rudolf Hauri, head of the Cantonal Doctors’ Association.

“More people are being admitted to hospitals again with, or because of, coronavirus. There are also new cases in intensive care units, but these are generally people with a medical history.”

Should you be worried?
 
While the number of people with serious Covid-related complications is not expected to be as high as previously, the rise in the number of infections should not be trivialised either, infectious disease specialists say.
 
This is especially important for people in the high-risk category — those over 65 or suffering from chronic illnesses — who can get quite sick if infected with the new variants, according to FOPH.
 
This is all the more important as the flu season is about to begin in Switzerland as well, and the confluence of both illnesses, plus other respiratory viruses that typically circulate during the winter, can be very risky.
 
What can you do to protect yourself?
 
Other than adopting the same protective measures as those during the pandemic — that is, washing hands, avoiding close contacts and crowded spaces, and wearing masks where needed — health officials also recommend top-up shots, for both Covid and flu.

READ ALSO: Who should get top-up Covid and flu jabs in Switzerland?

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