Cantonal doctor Rudolf Hauri on the virus mutation

The corona virus mutation has reached the canton of Zug, and 49 children from Cham are in quarantine. Nevertheless, cantonal physician Rudolf Hauri does not want to recommend any further measures, but appeals to the population: "The pandemic is not over."

St. Moritz, Frauenfeld, Bremgarten. The coronavirus mutation is spreading. And hasn’t stopped at the borders of the canton of Zug: on Tuesday morning, the municipality of Cham announced that two children from the 4th and 5th grades had become infected with the mutant,and significantly more contagious corona virus.

49 students and 8 teachers had contact with those infected – and had to be tested for the corona virus – the authorities expect to receive the test results on Wednesday or Thursday. At the direction of the municipality, those affected will remain temporarily in quarantine up to and including Saturday; with the requirement to have as little contact as possible with other family members.

As recently as Tuesday morning, 38 children from two classes had to be quarantined. Britta Dobbelfeld, Rector of the Cham Schools, says: "In the meantime, we know of another contact in the day school. The parents were immediately informed and 11 other children have been quarantined since then."

Did the infection occur during the holidays?
Despite the extraordinary situation, those responsible in Cham are remaining calm. Britta Dobbelfeld adds: "The cooperation with teachers, school leaders and cantonal doctors is highly professional. Some parents are anxious, but, in the context of very special circumstances, everything is reassuringly calm."

This is probably largely due to the constitutions of those infected. "The infected persons are in good health," says Rudolf Hauri, the Zug Cantonal Doctor. He believes the children may have become infected on a holiday trip – within the family. And the outbreak of the virus mutation in Zug does not surprise Hauri: "It was to be expected."

It is not yet clear to the authorities which variant the two primary school pupils were infected with (England, South Africa, Brazil) as the samples have not yet been fully analyzed.

Wash hands, keep distance, wear mask
The first priority for health authorities is to prevent any further spread by placing all those affected in quarantined and carrying out tests. As long as their child does not test positive, the parents will also not be subject to a quarantine obligation.

There is no need for further measures at the moment, for example, for the whole municipality or the whole canton. But, according to Hauri: "The mutation should remind the whole population that the pandemic is not over and that the most important basic rules must still be observed: washing hands, keeping distance, wearing a mask."

School operations in Cham should continue as normal as possible in the meantime. According to the press release issued on Tuesday morning, the Cham schools want to follow the recommendation, but have also "decided on further immediate measures".

Parental talks that are scheduled for this week will be postponed or be carried out digitally, and teachers should hold meetings by video or on the phone if possible.