One third of Swiss are prone to believing in conspiracy theories, according to a study run in 2019 by researchers at ETH University in Zurich. Researchers at ETH Zurich’s department of delinquency and crime prevention questioned around 10,500 people (2,111 adults and 8,317 young people) in 2019 regarding their beliefs. Survey takers were asked questions, […]
Covid: no time to relax, says minister as 3-day Swiss case number returns to 17,000
On 9 November 2020, Switzerland’s Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) reported 17,309 new laboratory-confirmed Covid-19 cases over 72 hours, bringing the total to 229,222. The 24-hour average number of new cases of 5,770 recorded over the weekend is lower than the previous weekend when it was 7,309 (21,926 over 72 hours). However, Alain Berset, the […]
Terror attack in Vienna linked to Winterthur
Following the terrorist attack in Vienna this week, Swiss and Austrian authorities have been in contact following the arrest of two Swiss in Winterthur, a hotbed of radicalisation in Switzerland, according to RTS. Intelligence services, police and judicial authorities from both nations have been working together to look at the case. The An’ Nur mosque […]
Swiss government rejects call to abolish the crime of blasphemy
Last week, Switzerland’s parliament rejected by 115 votes to 48 a proposal to abolish the crime of blasphemy in Switzerland. Beat Flach proposed the motion, arguing that defining blasphemy as a crime places limits on free speech. We should not punish people for criticising religion, believes Flach. Instead he thinks Switzerland should send a strong […]
Covid sceptics taking up more and more Swiss police time
Some Covid sceptics and those energetically opposed to measures to stop the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus are consuming an increasing amount of police time, in particular the time of staff at Switzerland’s Federal Office of Police (Fedpol), reported RTS. The rising propensity for violence associated with Covid sceptics is taking up a lot of […]
Covid T-cell response found to last at least 6 months
A study by the UK Coronavirus Immunology Consortium (UK CIC) found T-cell immunity persisted for 6 months in a group of medical staff. The study, published as an un peer reviewed preprint, is believed to be the most significant piece of research on the subject. Unlike antibodies, which attach to the virus, T-cells attack cells […]
Covid: 370 deaths in Switzerland this week as hospitalisations rise above last peak
Over the 7 days to 6 November 2020, Switzerland’s Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) reported 370 deaths among laboratory-confirmed Covid-19 cases, bringing the death toll since summer to 676. There are currently 3,503 Covid-19 patients in hospitals across Switzerland, according to FOPH figures published by RTS. Yesterday, Switzerland was using 77% of its current intensive care capacity (1,054 places), […]
Covid: 62 new deaths as hospitalisations rise in Switzerland
On 5 November 2020, Switzerland’s Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) reported 62 deaths among laboratory-confirmed cases of Covid over 24 hours, bringing the total death toll since summer to 606. Current daily deaths are not far from the peak level reached during the first wave over spring, according to FOPH data. In addition, FOPH reported […]
Covid: hospitalisations and deaths rise as 10,000 new daily cases reported in Switzerland
On 4 November 2020, Switzerland’s Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) reported 10,073 new cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection over 24 hours, bringing the total to 192,376. Test positivity was 28%. The challenge now facing Switzerland is hospital capacity. Hospitals could reach overload within 5 days, said Virginie Masserey of the FOPH. There are currently 3,371 Covid-19 patients in hospitals across […]
Covid: 6,100 new cases as Swiss hospitals reach breaking point
On 3 November 2020, Switzerland’s Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) reported 6,126 new cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection over 24 hours, bringing the total to 182,303. There are currently 3,219 Covid-19 patients in hospitals across Switzerland, according to FOPH figures published by RTS. This figure doubled over the last 10 days weeks and is 35% above the peak […]
