In the seven days to 12 June 2020, the number of new SARS-CoV-2 infections recorded in Switzerland was 127. A similar number of new cases was recorded in the week before (108) and the week before that (121), according to Worldinfometer.com. However, the number of deaths was up slightly when comparing the recent week (17) […]
Coronavirus: Switzerland confirms lifting of COVID restrictions regarding all EU/EFTA states and UK
On 12 June 2020, Switzerland’s Federal Council approved an earlier plan by the Federal Department of Justice and Police (FDJP) to remove Schengen States from the list of high-risk countries, and reintroduce rights of free movement into Switzerland from 15 June 2020. All restrictions imposed on persons entering Switzerland from the Schengen Area will be […]
Coronavirus: WHO changes advice on masks
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently changed its advice on face masks. It now recommends healthy people wear them in public when social distancing is not possible, stating that they could provide a barrier for potentially infectious droplets. The WHO had previously said there was not enough evidence to recommend healthy people should wear them, […]
Coronavirus: Switzerland to reopen borders with EU, EFTA and UK on 15 June
Switzerland recently announced that it will lift existing entry restrictions with all EU and EFTA nations and the UK on 15 June 2020. In mid-May the Swiss government announced plans to fully reopen borders with France, Germany and Austria. On 2 June 2020, it decided to hold off on a full reopening of borders with […]
Coronavirus: new cases remain low in Switzerland
Over the last week, 97 new SARS-CoV-2 infections were recorded, an average of 14 new cases a day. By 5 June 2020, there were 30,936 cases and 1,921 deaths. There were 23 new cases on 5 June and the average for the week was 14. Over the week 4 people were hospitalised with Covid-19 and there were […]
Is the lack of inflight social distancing on SWISS airlines a risk?
By Edward Girardet Over two days last week, Thailand reported a score of new coronavirus cases. All were Thai nationals returning by air from the Middle East. Otherwise, there have been almost no new community or ‘inside country’ cases since mid-May. Thai Airways (as with a growing number of other airlines) requires a “fit-to-fly” medical […]
Switzerland holds off on open borders with Italy
Switzerland’s Federal Council announced on June 2 that it plans to maintain border restrictions with Italy until further notice as a reciprocal border arrangement with Italy would be premature. From 3 June 2020, Swiss residents will be able to travel to and return from Italy, but Italians or Italian residents will not be able to […]
Coronavirus: 22,000 Swiss deaths if there had been no shutdown, estimate modellers in Zurich
Based on data from the first wave of Covid-19, epidemic modellers in Zurich estimate Switzerland would have suffered 22,000 deaths without the restrictions on daily life introduced in March 2020. The modelling, done by Fadoua Balabdaoui and Dirk Mohr at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETHZ), estimates nearly 75% of Switzerland’s population […]
Coronavirus: a second wave forecast for Switzerland
Epidemic modellers in Zurich predict a possible second wave of Covid-19 in Switzerland. Their forecast suggests it could be more deadly than the first if no effective treatments or vaccines materialise. The modelling work, done by Fadoua Balabdaoui and Dirk Mohr at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETHZ), predicts Switzerland’s state of […]
Coronavirus: the possible role of vitamin D
A recently published paper considers the role of vitamin D in the outcome of Covid-19 cases. One mostly overlooked factor that could influence outcome of COVID-19 is the relative vitamin D status of populations, says the author. Whether low vitamin D levels are a cause or consequence of disease remains a point of heated debate. […]
