Coronavirus: Friday bulletin on case numbers in the Canton of Basel-Stadt

As of Friday, 23 April 2021, 10.30, the Department of Health Basel-Stadt had recorded a total of 11,637 positive cases among people living in the Canton of Basel-Stadt since the start of the pandemic, 451 active cases in isolation and 1175 people in quarantine. The 7-day notification rate per 100,000 residents is 184 (CH: 131), the 14-day notification rate is 331 (CH: 306). In total 44,389 vaccination doses have so far been administered in Basel-Stadt. 17,091 people have been fully vaccinated with the first and second vaccination.

Occurrence of infection in the Canton of Basel-Stadt: Of the 451 active cases, 26 residents of the Canton of Basel-Stadt are in hospital. In addition, 19 people from outside the canton or abroad are being treated in hospital in the Canton of Basel-Stadt. Of the total of 45 people in hospital, 13 require intensive care.

The total of 11,637 cases of infection in the Canton of Basel-Stadt since the start of the pandemic consists of 10,988 recoveries, 198 deaths and 451 active cases. There have been 205 new cases of infection since the last bulletin on Tuesday, 20 April 2021. No further people have died of the consequences of Covid-19.

Information about sources of infection

The current sources of infection have been recorded as follows: 1221 new infections were recorded in the Canton of Basel-Stadt during the past four weeks (period from 26 March to 22 April 2021). 51 per cent (or 626 cases) of the new infections could be attributed to known or suspected sources of infection. Most of them caught the infection from their own family (58 per cent) or when meeting with family or friends (12 per cent) or at work (11 per cent). Seven percent said that they had several possible sources of infection.

Current status of vaccinations and adaptation of the vaccination strategy

As of yesterday Thursday, 22 April 2021, a total of 44,389 vaccinations had been administered in the vaccination centre and by the mobile units in the Canton of Basel-Stadt. 17,091 people have been fully vaccinated with the first and second vaccination. 7,500 doses were also supplied to the hospitals for vaccinating their staff. These are listed in separate statistics. Consolidation of the figures for the on-going statistics is underway.

42,557 people have pre-registered for vaccination. In addition, a further 21,417 people have a pre-arranged vaccination appointment at the vaccination centre. 8,777 vaccination appointments were allocated during the past week (17 to 23/04).

12,300 vaccination doses were delivered to Basel-Stadt last week. Next week the canton is expecting just under 3,000 doses. These fluctuations are because Pfizer delivers every week and Moderna every two weeks.

Group 2b (healthcare workers with patient contact), group 3 (close contact with particularly high-risk individuals) and group 4 (people in community facilities) are now eligible for vaccination in Basel-Stadt. Around 5,000 appointments have already been allocated for healthcare workers with patient contact, on 1, 8 and 9 May 2021.

On the basis of the amended vaccination recommendations of the Swiss Committee on Vaccination Issues [Eidgenössischen Kommission für Impffragen (EKIF)], the vaccination strategy of the Canton of Basel-Stadt is being adapted as follows: For medical reasons, 50 to 65-year-olds will be the first to be eligible for vaccination in group 5 (all other people), in accordance with the recommendations of the EKIF, as soon as the people registered today from group 3 (close contact with particularly high-risk individuals) and those in group 4 (people in community facilities) have a vaccination appointment.

The under 50s will then be invited to get their vaccination. Appointments within the groups will be allocated according to registration date. People who have already registered can still expect their first vaccination appointment before the end of June provided that the announced vaccine deliveries arrive on time.

Increased checks in hot spots by Basel-Stadt Cantonal Police

Outdoor seating areas of restaurants have been open again since Monday, 19 April 2021. This relaxation despite rising infection numbers is welcomed because the risk of infection outdoors is lower and safety policies are adhered to. However, the situation is still delicate and, in order to prevent case numbers from rising again, it is still very important that people keep following the applicable regulations of the Covid-19-Ordinance Special Situation. Regulations that apply in public spaces are the ban on gatherings of more than 15 people, adherence to distancing regulations and the requirement to wear a face mask in busy areas.

In consultation with the Department of Health, the Basel-Stadt Cantonal Police will be monitoring compliance with these regulations more closely following the relaxations and raising the public’s awareness of the rules that still apply. Their focus will be on busy hot spots where they can, if necessary and on the instructions of the cantonal physician, enforce local and temporary measures, such as general compulsory mask wearing and/or a ban on consuming food or beverages in public spaces. Conditions such as these are currently in force in Steinenvorstadt.

The current situation in Basel schools

Primary schools and nurseries (total of 12,814 pupils and 1,906 teachers)

• 301 pupils in quarantine or self-isolation, corresponding to 2.3 percent.
• 26 teachers in quarantine or self-isolation, corresponding to 1.4 percent.

Secondary schools (total of 4,343 pupils and 650 teachers)

• 50 pupils in quarantine or self-isolation, corresponding to 1.2 percent.
• 1 teacher in quarantine or self-isolation, corresponding to 0.2 percent.

Higher secondary schools and vocational colleges (total of 7,400 pupils and 1,170 teachers)

• 109 pupils in quarantine or self-isolation, corresponding to 1.48 percent.
• 6 teachers in quarantine or self-isolation, corresponding to 0.51 percent.

Please note:

Case numbers continue to be updated every day on the website www.coronavirus.bs.ch. The latest vaccination figures can be found on the Basel-Stadt data portal.