Despite emerging resistance to government imposed restrictions aimed at slowing the spread of the Covid-19 virus, a majority of Swiss are happy with the restrictions, according to a survey on 5 April 2020 commissioned by RTS. According to the survey, the restrictions on assembly and movement introduced on 28 February 2020, are still viewed as […]
Coronavirus: smoking considerably increases risks
According to Switzerland’s Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) smoking considerably increases the risk of becoming seriously ill with Covid-19. In addition, FOPH says it weakens the immune system in general and is therefore a risk factor for infection and urges smokers to quit, or at the very least cut down. Based on findings in […]
Coronavirus: toilet paper shortage not just down to panic buying
A much covered aspect of the Coronavirus pandemic is the global run on toilet paper. Supermarket scenes of people fighting over rolls, were quickly followed by explanations. Irrational panic buying was the most common explanation for why toilet paper was selling out. If we could all resist the urge to panic buy there would be […]
Coronavirus: Switzerland extends lockdown until 26 April
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. […]
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 […]
