The SARS-CoV-2 virus has hit French-speaking Switzerland harder than the rest of Switzerland both before and since summer. 44% of Swiss Covid-19 deaths have occurred in the cantons of Valais, Vaud, Geneva, Fribourg and Neuchâtel, despite making up only 25% of the country’s population. At a recent press conference, Martin Ackermann, head of the Covid-19 […]
Covid: Switzerland’s infection rate continued to slow over the weekend
Over the weekend, Switzerland averaged 3,250 new daily recorded cases (9,751 over 72 hours). This represents a significant drop from the daily peak of 10,128 cases reported on 5 November 2020. The 7-day moving average number of new cases in Switzerland is currently more than 40% below the peak around 2.5 weeks ago. At the […]
Covid: only the vaccinated get to travel abroad, suggests Swiss infectious disease expert
Resistance to vaccinations is significant in Switzerland. A survey done in November 2020 suggests only 16% of the population would get vaccinated immediately if there was an approved Covid-19 vaccine, reported 20 Minutes. More than a quarter (28%) of those surveyed said they would refuse, leaving a majority who said they would decide at some […]
Swiss family relations worsened more after confinement than during it
Recently published research suggests family relations in Switzerland deteriorated more after pandemic-induced confinement rather than during it. A study conducted by the University of Luzern showed that family conflict rose more after lockdown rather than during it. People in families were asked how they felt during the eight weeks of restrictions over spring and over […]
Fribourg raises smoking age to 18, including for e-cigarettes
This week, the government of the canton of Fribourg decided to raise the smoking age from 16 to 18 across the canton, according to RTS. Research suggests that 57% of smokers start before the age of 18. The hope is that if tobacco is less accessible to young people fewer will end up with a […]
Easyjet makes first loss in its history
This week, Easyjet announced its first ever annual loss of nearly £1.3 billion, its only loss in 25 years of operating. As Covid-19 grounded the airline’s planes, revenue disappeared. Revenues for the year to 30 September 2020, were reduced to £3 billion, only 47% of the £6.4 billion earned the year before. Costs were cut […]
Covid: Switzerland’s deadliest week so far as infection rate continues to slow
Over the 7 days to 20 November 2020, Switzerland’s Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) reported 615 deaths among laboratory-confirmed Covid-19 cases, bringing the death toll to 1,844 since summer and 3,575 since the beginning of the year. The 1,168 reported deaths over the last 14 days represent 33% of the total deaths so far. The most recent 7 days have […]
Coronavirus biggest concern among Swiss, according to survey
The coronavirus pandemic and its consequences rank at the top of the list of Swiss concerns in 2020, according to a recent survey. This is the first time in the history of the Crédit Suisse Worry Barometer that a new issue has topped the list of people’s worries. Following in second and third place on […]
Swiss government promises one billion francs for Covid hit businesses
This week, Switzerland’s federal government decided to increase aid money to Covid hit businesses to CHF 1 billion. Before this announcement, Bern had already committed to providing CHF 400 million to struggling businesses. Funding for the first CHF 400 million is split 50-50 between cantonal and federal tax payers. The additional CHF 600 million will […]
Man raising money to help men
Men live shorter lives and are more likely to take their own than women. 17 years ago a group of friends in Australia decided to start the Movember foundation to raise money and awareness of the often overlooked health challenges, both physical and mental, faced by men. Globally, the life expectancy of men (70.8) is […]
