On 13 July 2021, Switzerland’s Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) reported 483 new cases of Covid-19, up from a daily average of 274 over the preceding three days. The rise in cases follows a rising trend in the incidence of the more infectious Delta variant, which now makes up the majority of DNA sequenced […]
Covid: Swiss cases nearly double this week as Delta rises
This week, 1,609 new Covid-19 cases were recorded in Switzerland, nearly double (+95%) the number the week before (827). The daily number of cases on a 7-day rolling average was 230 and the fast spreading Delta variant made up 83% of all samples sequenced on 28 June 2021. This week, the number of Covid-19 deaths […]
EU now accepts Swiss Covid certificates
The European Commission has given the Swiss Covid certificate a green light for inclusion on the EU-wide digital Covid certificate platform. This means that holders of Swiss Covid certificates are able to present their Swiss-issued Covid certificate QR codes at ports of entry into EU nations under the same conditions as holders of certificates from […]
EU recognition of Swiss Covid certificate imminent
According to RTS, Brussels is close to giving the Swiss Covid certificate a green light for inclusion on the EU-wide digital Covid certificate platform. This means that Swiss residents will soon be able to present their Swiss-issued Covid certificate QR codes at ports of entry into EU nations. Swiss digital Covid certificates are expected to […]
Nearly 40% have Long Covid after 7 months, finds Swiss study
The longer term effects of Covid-19 can take many forms and there are numerous definitions of the disease. A study undertaken by HUG and UNIGE in Geneva, published on 6 July 2021, found that 39% of a group of Covid-19 patients still had symptoms after 7 months. Of the 629 participants in the study who […]
Covid: Swiss health minister concerned by rest home staff vaccine resistance
In Switzerland, 20% of people over 80 have not been vaccinated against Covid-19 at a time when the fast spreading Delta variant is gaining ground, said Alain Berset, Switzerland’s health minister, in an interview with the NZZ reported RTS. Berset said he’s concerned that too many people do not want to get vaccinated. But in […]
Covid: vaccine insights from rising infections in the UK
With high a vaccination rate – by 3 July 2021, 67% of the UK population had had at least one shot – and a steep resurgence in cases, the UK is the first nation to really test the efficacy of Covid-19 vaccines. And the insights are significant. In the UK a project called ZOE is […]
The toxic state of one of Switzerland’s longest rivers
Long ago ago hydroelectricity attracted energy intensive manufacturing to the canton of Valais, much of it along the banks of the Rhône river. These activities, which include aluminium smelting, synthetic fertiliser production and chemical manufacture, boosted the local economy but have also left a legacy of pollution that continues to affect the river and ground […]
Covid: Swiss government sets out autumn scenarios and measures
On 30 June 2021, Switzerland’s Federal Council discussed ways of preparing Switzerland for the autumn and winter months and a possible renewed rise in the number of coronavirus cases. From the meeting ministers produced a report setting out various scenarios and response plans. The key elements are rapid identification of new variants of concern, continued […]
Covid: Switzerland donates 4 million doses of vaccine
On 30 June 2021, the Swiss Federal Council decided to transfer a large part of the 5.4 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine that have been ordered to the COVAX Facility. Switzerland is thus able to make a substantial contribution to global efforts to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, reported the Swiss government. COVAX is an initiative […]
