This week, Switzerland’s Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) reported 17,245 positive Covid-19 cases and 387 deaths. Over the seven days to 15 January 2021, the number daily cases reported in Switzerland averaged 2,464. This figure is significantly below the daily reported average leading up to Christmas. In the 7 days to 18 December 2020, […]
Covid: Switzerland reaches 66,000 vaccinations against the virus
Switzerland’s Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) recently reported that 66,000 people in Switzerland had been vaccinated against the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes Covid-19. The number was communicated by Nora Kronig of the FOPH during a press conference in Bern on Thursday 14 January 2020. The 66,000 is likely to be lower than the actual […]
FILM: the best of Russia
15 January 2021. By Neptune RUSSIAN FILMS Let’s take a look at the rich tradition of Russian cinema this week. Did you know that the Lumière brothers exhibited their groundbreaking series of short film clips in Moscow and Leningrad in 1896, where they also made the very first film in Russia – of the coronation […]
Swiss inflation turns negative in 2020
During 2020, average annual inflation was –0.7%, according to Switzerland’s Federal Statistical Office (FSO). In December 2020, Switzerland’s consumer price index (CPI) fell by 0.1% compared with November 2020. Compared to December 2019, prices in December 2020 were 0.8% lower. Annual inflation reached -0.7% across the full year. The main drivers of a falling CPI […]
Off-piste skiing discouraged as Swiss avalanche risk rises
The avalanche risk is currently high in Switzerland, according to WSL, a research institute that monitors avalanche risk in Switzerland. The area stretching from the border with Liechtenstein across to and including much of the Bernese Oberland is at greatest risk. Avalanche risk in this region is at Level 4 anywhere above 1,600m, said WSL. […]
Long Covid symptoms persist beyond 7 months, according to new data
Recent research based on information from 3,762 Long Covid sufferers shows most still have symptoms after 7 months. The study uses patient-driven research and is based on a survey created by a team of patients with COVID-19 who are members of the Body Politic online COVID-19 support group. The group conducted its first survey in […]
Swiss referendum launched against same sex marriage
In early December 2020, the Council of States, Switzerland’s upper house voted in favour of same sex marriage, finalising a government decision to change Switzerland’s laws to allow marriage equality for all. Since then those opposed to the idea have been busy. The proposed referendum is entitled: Yes to marriage and family, no to marriage […]
Covid: Swiss government extends and tightens measures
On 13 January 2021, Switzerland’s Federal Council announced a 5-week extension of the current restrictions and introduced further measures. The Federal Council said that it fears the more infectious variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus could lead to a rapid rise in numbers at a time when new cases remain very high. In little more than […]
Covid: Switzerland grants approval for second vaccine
On 12 January 2021, Swissmedic, the Swiss agency for the authorisation and supervision of pharmaceutical products, approved a second vaccination against the SARS-CoV-2 virus for the Swiss market. The vaccine from Moderna, of which the federal government has ordered around 7.5 million doses, has been approved for adults from age 18. Over the coming days […]
Covid: tension rises between Switzerland’s scientists and politicians
Tension between Switzerland’s scientists and politicians is rising, according to RTS. On Saturday, Christian Althaus, an epidemiologist working for the Swiss National COVID-19 Science Task Force, Switzerland’s scientific Covid advisory team, announced his resignation and voiced his frustration on Twitter. “One of the reasons why I left the scientific task force this week. Politicians must […]
