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 […]
Covid: Swiss cases down 6% this week
This week, 827 new Covid-19 cases were recorded in Switzerland, down 6% from the week before (880). The daily number of cases on a 7-day rolling average was 118. In line with lower new case numbers, only 11 people were reported being admitted to hospital in Switzerland with Covid-19 this week, down from 22 the […]
Swiss meat and eggs often not very Swiss
Any animal raised and slaughtered in Switzerland can be labelled Swiss. However, what the animal has been fed could be from anywhere. If animals are what they eat then much of the meat and eggs labelled Swiss aren’t very Swiss. A key challenge for meat, dairy and egg consumers is the absence of information on […]
Covid: Swiss cases down 44% this week as Delta looms
This week, 880 new Covid-19 cases were recorded in Switzerland, down 44% from the week before (1,576). The daily number of cases on a 7-day rolling average is now 126. During the week, 22 people were reported being admitted to hospital in Switzerland with Covid-19. In addition, deaths were stable at 11, 2 higher than […]
Switzerland to open mass events and nightclubs to those with Covid certificates
On 23 June 2021, Switzerland’s government announced that it was loosening a wide range of Covid-19 restrictions from Saturday. From Saturday, 26 June 2021 rules on nightclubs, large events, remote working, education and restaurants will be loosened. In addition, it will become easier for travellers to enter Switzerland. The key changes include: No limit on […]
Record number of deaths recorded in Switzerland in 2020
During the course of 2020, 8,415 more people died than in 2019, a rise of 12.4%, according to statistics published by Switzerland’s Federal Statistical Office. The rise in year-on-year deaths is broadly in line with various Covid-19 death estimates for Switzerland in 2020. The official toll is 7,606. However, others have calculated Swiss Covid-19 deaths […]
