In a typical year there are around 70,000 deaths in Switzerland. In 2020, there were 76,195 deaths, 12.4% more than the year before. The jump in deaths was due to the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the Federal Statistical Office (FSO), which published mortality data this week. The two leading causes of death in Switzerland in […]
Swiss health premiums set for sharp rise in 2023
Swiss health insurance premiums are set to rise sharply in 2023, according to a new study. Price rises could reach close to 10% in some cantons. On average premiums across the country are expected to jump at least 5.4%, according to a study published by Accenture, reported RTS. One of the reasons behind the rises […]
Swiss hospitals close to overload
Swiss hospital workers hoping to be able to regain their breath after the Covid pandemic are faced with a difficult reality. Swiss hospitals are close to saturation due to a severe shortage of staff, reported RTS. A Swiss labour market survey published this week shows the severity of the shortage. 3,000 vacant hospital positions were […]
Switzerland may have passed 6th Covid peak
Data published this week on 19 July 2022, suggest that 6th wave Covid-19 infections in Switzerland may have peaked. Data published by Switzerland’s Federal Office of Public Health show 46,099 new cases over the 7 days to 18 July 2022. Over the prior 7 days there were 55,339 cases. Recorded cases have dropped 17% week […]
Häagen Dazs ice cream pulled from Swiss shelves
On 13 July 2022, Switzerland’s Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO) recommended that certain Häagen Dazs ice cream products not be consumed. The products include Häagen Dazs Vanilla Pint 460 ml, Häagen-Dazs Vanilla Mini-Cups 95 ml, Häagen-Dazs Vanilla Collection 95 ml x 4 and Häagen-Dazs Classic Collection 95 ml x 4. These products could […]
Sharp rise in Covid cases in Switzerland this week
Over the 7 days to 4 July 2022, 46,025 new cases of Covid-19 were reported in Switzerland, according to the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH), a figure 39% higher that the 7 days prior. In addition, 455 people were hospitalised, a number 52% higher than the week before. And 13 patients died. 45 ICU […]
Cannabis far easier to prescribe in Switzerland from 1 August
From 1 August 2022, doctors in Switzerland will be able to prescribe cannabis without the need for authorisation, announced the Federal Council on 22 June 2022, reported RTS. The introduction of the change, which allows cannabis to be prescribed for medical reasons without the authorisation of the federal health authorities, follows updates to Switzerland’s drug […]
Higher federal tax deductions for health insurance announced
The cost of Swiss health insurance has risen sharply over the years. However, the amount that can be deducted from income to calculate federal taxes has remained comparatively low. This week, Switzerland’s parliament voted in favour of closing the gap between the standardised health insurance tax deductions and what people actually pay, reported RTS. The […]
Psychotherapy to be covered by basic Swiss health insurance
From 1 July 2022, psychotherapy provided by trained psychologists will be reimbursed under Switzerland’s basic compulsory health insurance, reported RTS. To qualify for reimbursement the service will need to be prescribed by a doctor and meet certain conditions. Prices for the service have not been set. The federal government and cantons still need to work […]
Migros to stay alcohol free after clear no vote
On 16 June 2022, the Swiss supermarket Migros announced that its members had voted in favour of maintaining a ban on the sale of alcohol in its stores, restaurants and takeaway outlets across all 10 of its regional cooperatives. With record voter participation of more than 630,000 members (29%) – members were offered free chocolate […]
