On 23 August 2021, the US Food and Drug Administration approved the first Covid-19 vaccine. The Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine has now been approved for use in individuals 16 and older. Previously, the vaccine was available under emergency use authorisation, a status which remains for use on those aged 12 to 15. “The FDA’s approval of […]
Swiss women rank top globally for hypertension in 2019
A recently published study funded by the World Health Organisation (WHO) on rates of high blood pressure ranks Switzerland’s women top, with the lowest rate of hypertension among the 200 nations studied. The study estimates that 17% of Switzerland’s women suffer from hypertension. The top 10 nations for women include Peru (18%), Canada (20%), Taiwan […]
Researcher in Switzerland warns of potential Covid super variant
Sai Reddy, a researcher and immunologist at ETH Zurich, has warned of the potential emergence of a new super variant of the coronavirus that could occur if features of existing variants combined, reported RTS. Reddy, who works at the biosystems science and engineering department of ETH Zurich in Basel, told the SonntagsBlick newspaper that it […]
Covid: Geneva minister wants unvaccinated to pay for hospital
On 20 August 2021, Mauro Poggia, Geneva’s health minister, recommended unvaccinated people cover part of their own hospitalisation costs and lost earnings compensation should they end up in hospital or be unable to work after catching the virus, reported 20 Minutes. Solidarity towards the unvaccinated has its limits, said Poggia, while pointing out that 90% […]
Covid: younger people ending up in hospital in increasing numbers
On 24 August 2021, Switzerland’s Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) announced that 97 Covid-19 patient admissions were reported in Switzerland over the last 24 hours. Over the last 7 days a total of 325 Covid-19 admissions have been reported. The number of hospital admissions is currently far below the peaks of the first and […]
Covid: Swiss cases up as health minister predicts 4th wave
This week, 14,811 new cases of Covid-19 were reported in Switzerland, up 30% from the week before (11,407). According to Alain Berset, Switzerland’s health minister, Switzerland will not be spared a fourth wave, reported RTS. However, this one will be different to the first three. The big difference this time is vaccination. 51% of Switzerland’s population has now […]
Sharp jump in Swiss Covid-19 intensive care patients
The latest figures on Covid-19 patients in intensive care in Swiss hospitals show a steep rise in numbers. On 18 August 2021, there were a reported 163 Covid-19 patients in intensive care wards across Switzerland. This number is far from the peaks of the first and second waves when ICU Covid-19 patient numbers exceeded 500, […]
Covid: no more free tests in Switzerland from October
On 11 August 2021, Switzerland’s Federal Council said it expects to end free Covid-19 tests for those without symptoms from 1 October 2021, a decision that it will confirm on 25 August 2021, reported RTS. However, there will be exceptions. Those who cannot be vaccinated, such as some immunodeficient people and those under 12 will […]
Covid: Swiss cases and hospitalisations up sharply as holiday makers return home
This week, 11,407 new cases of Covid-19 were reported in Switzerland, up 81% from the week before (6,303). 143 hospital new hospital admissions were reported this week. Delays with hospital admissions data mean that recent figures are undercounted. Last week’s hospitalisation figures rose significantly after data collection caught up with reality. Similarly, the 143 admissions […]
Covid: no change to measures as Swiss government accepts rising numbers
On 11 August 2021, at the federal government’s weekly briefing on Covid-19, Swiss health minister Alain Berset said that the government accepts that the numbers will increase, while explaining that no changes would be made to the current measures. Remaining restrictions in Switzerland include wearing masks in public transport and in some indoor areas, a […]
