This week saw new cases rise 19.3%. This follows an increase of 13.5% the week before. Over the seven days to 19 March 2021, Switzerland reported 9,964 new Covid-19 cases. The 7-day average is currently 1,423 new daily cases, up from 1,194 last week. Vaccination progresses with 5.0% now fully vaccinated and 13.7 doses per 100 people […]
Covid: Swiss plan to open further now tentative after signs of third wave
On 12 March 2021, the Swiss government presented its tentative plan to reduce Covid-19 restrictions from 22 March 2021. According to the government it is currently unclear how the epidemic will develop. Reproduction rates and case numbers have begun rising again. The reproduction rate across the country is now 1.13 (5 March 2021) and only […]
Flu deaths surprisingly rare in Switzerland
Sometimes comparisons are drawn between the seasonal flu and Covid-19. But how many die from the seasonal flu in Switzerland in a typical year? According to Switzerland’s Federal Statistical Office, surprisingly few. Over the ten years from 2009 to 2018, an annual average of 1181 people died from the flu in Switzerland, according to death […]
Covid: why is vaccination progress so slow in Switzerland?
When news of successful vaccines against the SARS-CoV-2 virus was announced, many expected a relatively rapid transition back to normal life. However, more than two months since the first doses of vaccine were administered in Switzerland only 4.3% of the population has been fully vaccinated. Why has progress been so slow? The problem seems to […]
Covid: growth in cases accelerates this week in Switzerland
Over the seven days to 12 March 2021, Switzerland reported 8,355 new Covid-19 cases, 13.5% more than the week before, when cases rose by 2.8%. The 7-day average is currently 1,178 new daily cases, up from 1,051 last week. Vaccines and higher levels of natural immunity help. But according to a nationwide antibody testing programme, the majority […]
Pressure on staff to be vaccinated in Swiss nursing home sparks controversy
The Kohlfirst retirement home in Zurich’s Weinland has a long term aim to ensure that all employees are vaccinated against Covid-19, according to SRF. Pressure to be vaccinated is being applied in numerous ways, such as greater testing of those who are unvaccinated and preferential access to outside training courses for those already vaccinated. The […]
Covid: Swiss government to offer free tests for all
When the SARS-CoV-2 virus arrived in Switzerland it was difficult to qualify for a test and patients had to pay for them themselves, with health insurance covering a portion of the cost for some people. Then over the summer, the federal government offered to cover the cost of the tests, but only for those meeting […]
Covid: cases up slightly again in Switzerland this week as vaccinations slowly proceed
Over the seven days to 5 March 2021, Switzerland reported 7,358 new positive Covid-19 cases, 2.8% more than the week before, when cases rose by 1.5%. However, the Swiss National COVID-19 Science Task Force remains concerned. Case numbers can quickly rise, as they did in early October 2020. On 12 October 2020, there were around 1,200 […]
Swiss parliament demands cabinet reopen restaurants and theatres
A recent parliamentary vote on whether to issue a formal request to the Federal Council, Switzerland’s executive, to reopen restaurants on 22 March 2021, found a majority of 97 to 90, according to Le Matin. The main parties supporting the demand were the Swiss People’s Party (UDC/SVP) and the PLR (FDP). The Socialist and Green […]
Vote against Swiss Covid-19 law set for June 2021
Switzerland has several kinds of referendums. One, called and optional referendum, gives voters a chance to overturn laws created by the government. Calling an optional referendum requires 50,000 signatures, a hurdle comfortably cleared by the organisers of a referendum to overturn Switzerland’s Covid-19 law introduced on 26 September 2020. On 3 March 2021, Switzerland’s Federal […]
