Over the week to 30 October 2020, Switzerland’s Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) reported 50,598 new cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection, bringing the total to 154,251.
Week-on-week reported laboratory-confirmed cases rose 73%, up from 29,231 the week before.
Swiss hospitals are filling up with Covid-19 patients. An additional 279 were admitted over the last 24 hours, according to FOPH. The previous day saw 287 admissions.
There are currently 2,380 Covid-19 patients in hospitals across Switzerland, according to FOPH figures published by RTS. Hospitalisations are now close to the peak during the first wave of 2,388 reached on 2 April 2020, but with new daily case figures at a higher level.
Some hospital staff feel neglected. Around 600 took the the streets outside Lausanne’s CHUV hospital to protest, according to RTS. They are demanding more staff, salary increases and a Covid-19 risk premium. They complain of exhaustion and say they have been demanding additional staff and pay rises for the six months since the first wave. There was a sense of solidarity last time. Now there is nothing, said one protestor. One worker at the CHUV, who fears infecting vulnerable non-Covid patients, said the health of patients is clearly at risk.
On 30 October 2020, cantons with the highest 14-day infection rates per 100,000 were Valais (2,238), Geneva (1,962), Fribourg (1,647), Jura (1,470), Vaud (1,336), Neuchâtel (1,333), Appenzell Innerrhoden (1,239), Schwyz (1,013), Ticino (826), St. Gallen (825). Zurich had 673. The national average was 904 – all data from FOPH.
Total Covid-19 deaths in Switzerland stood at 2,229 on 30 October 2020, of which 2,037 were laboratory-confirmed cases.
More on this:
RTS article (in French) – Take a 5 minute French test now
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