On 8 April 2020, Switzerland’s government decided to extend the country’s lockdown measures for a further week. In a press release the Federal Council said the measures would be extended for another week and then possibly progressively loosened before the end of April. The measures have proved to be effective with the spread of the […]
Coronavirus: new infections slowing in Switzerland
The number of new recorded Covid-19 cases is slowing in Switzerland. By 8 April 2020 the total number of recorded cases was 23,574 according to Switzerland’s health authority. Comparing the number of new cases on day to day basis can be misleading, particularly over the weekend when counting is sometimes interrupted. However, if the numbers […]
Coronavirus: negative tests don’t always mean you don’t have it
The most common test for Covid-19 involves inserting a swab up through the nose to collect mucus from the back of the throat next to the nasal cavity. The resulting mucus sample is then analysed to find traces of viral RNA specific to Covid-19, a process known as reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, or RT-PCR. […]
FILM: to sweep you to another time and place
3 April 2020. MORE SUPER FILMS to watch through this difficult time of the VIRUS. As with all great films, these classics will sweep you to another time and place… BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID OUT OF AFRICA LAWRENCE OF ARABIA THE LAST SAMURAI TOP GUN GLADIATOR THE KING AND I THE GREAT DICTATOR […]
Coronavirus: one third of Swiss hospitalisations younger than 60
According to statistics published by Switzerland’s Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH), 32% of those being hospitalised with coronavirus are under the age of 60. By the morning of 3 April 2020, 484 Covid-19 related deaths and 19,303 cases of infection were recorded in Switzerland. Of these around 2,850 had been hospitalised of which around […]
Coronavirus stories: my Verbier Covid-19 experience
By Doy Sison-Jones It all started with a get-together in the 1,500 metre-high Swiss alpine resort of Verbier. Perhaps it started even before then; I will never know. My closest friends and I from here, there, and everywhere were assembling for an extended ski weekend to celebrate long friendships, longevity and to enjoy some skiing […]
Coronavirus: experts warn of heightened suicide risk
The current health crisis has increased mental health risks, warns the Geneva-based organisation Stop Suicide. Stress, isolation and anxiety can have a negative effect on mental wellbeing. At such times it is important to consider the risk of suicide, said the organisation. Suicide is a tragic waste, both avoidable and preventable. According to the World Health […]
Coronavirus: deciding who gets a ventilator
By 31 March 2020, there were around 326 Covid-19 patients in intensive care and 228 on ventilators in Switzerland. It is estimated that there are around 750 ventilators across the country. If the health system reaches overload, medical professionals in Switzerland might be forced to make the kinds of difficult decisions being made in neighbouring […]
Coronavirus: loss of smell indicates “very high likelihood” of infection
While there is currently no scientifically proven link between anosmia (loss of smell) and Covid-19, more and more experts are saying the symptom is a strong indicator, particularly among those with few other symptoms. Gilbert Greub, head of the microbiology department at the CHUV hospital in Lausanne, is one such expert. “Given the widespread Covid-19 […]
Switzerland’s small companies rush to get interest free government loans
One third of the CHF 20 billion offered to small and medium sized Swiss companies has already been lent, according to RTS. The scheme, designed to help keep companies afloat during the coronavirus shutdown, allows banks to issue risk-free loans guaranteed by Switzerland’s federal government. So far banks across the country have made 30,000 loans […]
