This week, 18,055 new cases of Covid-19 were reported in Switzerland, rising less than 1% (0.3%) from the week before (17,997). After many weeks of rising new cases of Covid-19, the number of new infections this week in Switzerland was only slightly above the number a week earlier. At the same time deaths have risen. This […]
US moves Switzerland to its highest Covid-19 risk level
On 30 August 2021, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) raised the travel advisory risk levels of seven nations, including Switzerland, from level 3 (Covid-19 high) to level 4 (Covid-19 very high), the highest level. The CDC and US state department advise people in the US to avoid travelling to Switzerland and […]
Covid: Swiss cases up this week as pressure rises on hospitals
This week, 17,997 new cases of Covid-19 were reported in Switzerland, up 22% from the week before (14,811). Many Swiss health experts are now referring to the current situation as a fourth wave. However, despite high rates of infection, death numbers are relatively low now that 51% of Switzerland’s population has now been fully vaccinated, including a majority […]
US FDA fully approves first Covid-19 vaccine
On 23 August 2021, the US Food and Drug Administration approved the first Covid-19 vaccine. The Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine has now been approved for use in individuals 16 and older. Previously, the vaccine was available under emergency use authorisation, a status which remains for use on those aged 12 to 15. “The FDA’s approval of […]
Researcher in Switzerland warns of potential Covid super variant
Sai Reddy, a researcher and immunologist at ETH Zurich, has warned of the potential emergence of a new super variant of the coronavirus that could occur if features of existing variants combined, reported RTS. Reddy, who works at the biosystems science and engineering department of ETH Zurich in Basel, told the SonntagsBlick newspaper that it […]
Covid: younger people ending up in hospital in increasing numbers
On 24 August 2021, Switzerland’s Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) announced that 97 Covid-19 patient admissions were reported in Switzerland over the last 24 hours. Over the last 7 days a total of 325 Covid-19 admissions have been reported. The number of hospital admissions is currently far below the peaks of the first and […]
Covid: Swiss cases up as health minister predicts 4th wave
This week, 14,811 new cases of Covid-19 were reported in Switzerland, up 30% from the week before (11,407). According to Alain Berset, Switzerland’s health minister, Switzerland will not be spared a fourth wave, reported RTS. However, this one will be different to the first three. The big difference this time is vaccination. 51% of Switzerland’s population has now […]
Sharp jump in Swiss Covid-19 intensive care patients
The latest figures on Covid-19 patients in intensive care in Swiss hospitals show a steep rise in numbers. On 18 August 2021, there were a reported 163 Covid-19 patients in intensive care wards across Switzerland. This number is far from the peaks of the first and second waves when ICU Covid-19 patient numbers exceeded 500, […]
Covid: no more free tests in Switzerland from October
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 […]