In Switzerland, a traditional yodel concert has apparently led to a sharp increase in new coronavirus infections. According to the authorities, around 600 people took part in the event at the end of September in the rural canton of Schwyz. They were called to keep their distance; however, wearing a protective mask was not required. With more than 1,230 coronavirus cases, the canton is now one of the hotspots in Europe.
„We found out nine days after the performance that several people in the group were infected,“ said the organizer Beat Hegner to the public broadcaster RTS. 94 people tested positive on Wednesday alone, twice as many as the day before. „The explosion in the number of cases in Schwyz is one of the worst in Europe,“ said chief physician Reto Nueesch.
The overburdened canton hospital already asked people to wear mouth and nose protection and to avoid gatherings. „There is an extremely high rate of positive tests,“ said hospital director Franziska Foellmi. Most recently, the cantonal authorities had stepped up measures to combat the spread of the virus, but there is still no mask requirement in shops.
