The canton of Neuchâtel has developed scenarios with color codes to control the progression of the virus. Currently, six people are in solitary confinement and 24 are in quarantine in the canton.
“With less than one case per day, the virus is currently spreading sporadically at the Neuchâtel level,” said Claude-François Robert, cantonal doctor, in Colombier (Friday). The last death dates back to May 15 and the canton registers a case for 500 tests.
This situation could however evolve through an outbreak (cluster) in an EMS or in a nightclub for example, by a persistent and localized focus of transmission or by a massive resumption of the epidemic. “Surveillance must be maximum and we must react quickly, because everything is going very quickly with this virus,” added the cantonal doctor.
If there are three cases per day for three days, we will change the scenario and the next level of alert will be activated, explained Claude-François Robert. The blue code will change to yellow, then if necessary to orange, to red where the epidemic is exponential.
If a cluster is identified, the outbreak will be controlled by active case finding, including asymptomatic. If an outbreak is located, the area will be quarantined, with all the consequences that this implies.
Cost of 50 million
The canton will also carry out a seroprevalence survey on a sample of the population of 600 people. In addition, he will conduct another seroprevalence survey of probable cases, which could not be tested between March and May. “This will measure the degree of protection of the population,” added the cantonal doctor.
Given the evolution of the situation, the Crisis Management Staff (ORCCAN) will be put on standby this evening. However, it will remain active with a limited composition from July.
In terms of the financial consequences of the crisis, State Councilor Laurent Kurth estimated the cost at 50 million francs for the canton. “It’s a prognosis at this point. I was mandated by the Council of State to clarify the situation. This sum does not take into account the impacts at the fiscal or socio-economic level ”, he added. (ats / Le Matin)
Created: 06.26.2020, 11:08 a.m.
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