Swiss broadcaster RTS has raised questions about the level of SARS-CoV-2 testing in Switzerland, which in recent months has been significantly lower than some other developed nations. Numerous infectious disease experts have talked of the importance of testing. Chains of transmission cannot be broken without knowing who is infected. Didier Pittet, head of the infection […]
Swiss-Kiwi wine educator, writer and reviewer taken by Covid
In 2014, when Le News was still a print newspaper, the editorial team was approached by Nina Bobillier, a bubbly wine writer and educator who had recently brought her knowledge and enthusiasm for wine from her native New Zealand to Switzerland, where she also had family connections. Over the years, from her new home near […]
Coronavirus: 17,440 new cases recorded in Switzerland over the weekend
Numbers published today by the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) show a further 17,440 tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus in Switzerland over 72 hours, a daily average of 5,813. Last Monday, the same 72-hour figure was 8,737, roughly half this Monday’s number. Half of Switzerland’s laboratory-confirmed cases since the outbreak began in February […]
Coronavirus: Geneva hospital calls for volunteers as numbers rise rapidly
On Sunday 25 October 2020, Geneva’s HUG hospital issued a call for volunteers as the number of Covid-19 patients rises rapidly. The hospital seeks medical, care and administrative volunteers to bolster and relieve their staff. In addition, they seek those who might have recently retired or who are on leave. Bertrand Levrat, the hospital’s chief, […]
New Swiss initiative to further restrict construction
Land use is strictly governed in Switzerland. However, a new initiative, which aims to increase construction restrictions further, recently gathered enough signatures to qualify for a a popular vote. The initiative, dubbed the countryside initiative, was officially registered after gathering 104,487 valid signatures, more than the 100,000 that must be collected within 100 days to […]
Should Covid be left to spread among the young and healthy?
Recent petitions from two groups of scientists conflict over herd immunity. The Great Barrington Declaration On 4 October 2020, three public health experts launched the “Great Barrington Declaration”, a petition calling on governments to protect the vulnerable and allow the young and healthy to live their lives without restrictions. This group says it has grave […]
Coronavirus: 29,000 new cases reported this week in Switzerland
On 23 October 2020, Switzerland’s Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) reported 6,634 new cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection over 24 hours, a daily record, bringing the reported weekly total to 29,231, a figure more than double the week before. This is the third week in a row where the weekly reported case number has more than doubled. Three […]
Swiss clocks go back one hour on Sunday
2020 will be extended by one hour this weekend. Early on Sunday 25 October 2020 Swiss clocks go back one hour. Officially, time shifts at 3am. This means you can spend an extra hour in bed and it will be lighter when you get up. On the down side, it will get darker one hour […]
Coronavirus: Germany adds Switzerland to risk list
Today, Germany announced it had added Switzerland to its list of Covid-19 risk countries, effective from 24 October 2020. Until now only certain Swiss cantons were on Germany’s list. The Robert Koch Institut, Germany’s health authority, advises German residents against non-essential travel to Switzerland. Other new additions to Germany’s list include Liechtenstein, Ireland, Poland, Great […]
Coronavirus: Switzerland hits new daily record
On 21 October 2020, Switzerland’s Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) reported 5,596, new cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection over 24 hours. The highest daily reported figure during spring was 1,293. A significant increase in testing means infection figures reported over spring are not comparable to today’s numbers. However, the difference in test positivity is narrowing. During the […]
