Regular testing, tracking incidences and exercising caution when meeting in large groups seem to have been forgotten. Those who don't have frequent contact with people affected by Long COVID may often say things like "COVID is over now". However, the number of consultations for respiratory infections is increasing again this winter and COVID-19 is also being detected more frequently.
Although regular testing is no longer part of everyday life and a large number of unreported cases can therefore be assumed, the FOPH is continuing to document incidences. Here we see that the number of outpatient consultations with suspected COVID, laboratory-confirmed cases, hospitalizations and deaths are increasing overall and are mostly just below last year's numbers (as of 05.12.2023).
It can also be observed that the weekly number of first consultations for acute respiratory symptoms has been rising steadily since the end of July and now stands at 165 consultations per 100,000 inhabitants. At the moment, 41.5 % of these consultations result in a COVID-19 diagnosis.
Source: FOPH
As already discussed in our interview with Prof. Puhan, it is still important to check individually whether your own vaccination status meets the recommendations of the EKIF and to consider wearing a mask in large crowds to avoid infection. In the case of existing respiratory infections of all kinds, it is still important to pay attention to social distancing and hygiene and, if possible, to make use of home office options.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), reinfection with COVID-19 can worsen the condition of people with Long COVID. People affected by Long COVID or with pre-existing conditions are therefore still dependent on the general public being considerate. A new infection with COVID-19 or another pathogen such as influenza hits these vulnerable groups particularly hard.
