In late September, 2020 a yodeling competition in the rural Schwyz Canton, Switzerland became a super spreader event. The 600 people in the audience were asked to maintain social distancing, but mask-wearing was not required. Nine days after the performances, it was discovered that several yodelers were infected.
The pandemic has now spread through the region. Before the Yodeling Competition there were just 500 cases in mid-September. On October 23, 2020 there were 6634 cases in one day, which is a major spike for this small rural area.
The overloaded Cantonal hospital has asked people to begin wearing masks and avoiding gatherings. The explosion in the number of cases in Schwyz is one of the worst in all of Europe,” chief doctor Reto Nueesch posted online. Wearing a mask has become compulsory at all public and private events with more than 50 people and in situations where distancing can’t be maintained. It is still possible to go to any shops without wearing a mask.
Swiss President Simonetta Sommaruga said, “It is five minutes to midnight,” She urged everyone in the country to take precautions.