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 […]
Covid: second vaccine approved for use on 12 to 17 year olds in Switzerland
Swissmedic, Switzerland’s drug approval agency, extended approval of the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine for use on 12 to 17 year olds this week. On 9 August 2021, Swissmedic said that it had carefully examined an application from Moderna Switzerland and had decided to extend the temporary authorisation for the use of its Spikevax vaccine on 12 […]
Mystery Swiss biologist defends China on coronavirus origin
On 24 July 2021, a Facebook post on an account supposedly belonging to a Swiss biologist by the name of Wilson Edwards claimed to have knowledge of US efforts to politicise the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Covid-19 investigations from within the organisation. The post was picked up by various Chinese state media, including the Global […]
Covid: post-holiday tests encouraged by Swiss authorities
On Monday 2 August 2021, Switzerland’s Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) launched a campaign to encourage people to get tested for Covid-19 after returning from holiday travel, reported RTS. The FOPH recommends all those that haven’t been vaccinated or recently recovered to get tested when they return to Switzerland, even if they have no […]
Covid: Swiss cases up 26% this week but deaths remain low
This week, 6,303 new cases of Covid-19 were reported in Switzerland, up 26% from the week before (4,988). At the same time the week saw 3 deaths, the same number as the week before. Most of the vulnerable have now been been vaccinated in Switzerland and the vast majority of new cases are now among […]
Personal views on Covid wrecking relationships in Switzerland
A recent survey reveals the negative impact differing views on Covid are having on relationships in Switzerland. 62% of those surveyed said they were currently engaged in a disagreement over how the disease should be dealt with. And 26% had already broken off contact with someone as a result, reports SRF. Covid conflict is affecting […]
Zurich airport: 5% to 10% of passengers not boarding due to Covid document issues
During July 2021, around 5% to 10% of long-haul passengers, many in transit, were unable to depart from Zurich airport because their Covid-19 documents did not comply with destination country regulations, reported the newspaper Le Temps. In June 2021, around 700 passengers, most of which were in transit, found themselves stuck at Zurich airport. According […]
Unvaccinated 80 times more likely to catch Covid-19, finds Swiss study
Recent analysis of data done in the Swiss canton of Vaud found rate of Covid-19 was 83 times higher among the unvaccinated than those who had received two shots of vaccine, reported RTS. During the last two weeks of July 2021, the rate of infection among the vaccinated population was 2.6 per 100,000 compared to […]
