Switzerland’s federal government has increased the amount of money earmarked for SARS-CoV-2 vaccines by CHF 100 million, bringing the total to CHF 400 million. The announcement came as preliminary trials of a vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech found it to be more than 90% effective in preventing Covid-19 in participants without evidence of prior […]
Covid: no time to relax, says minister as 3-day Swiss case number returns to 17,000
On 9 November 2020, Switzerland’s Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) reported 17,309 new laboratory-confirmed Covid-19 cases over 72 hours, bringing the total to 229,222. The 24-hour average number of new cases of 5,770 recorded over the weekend is lower than the previous weekend when it was 7,309 (21,926 over 72 hours). However, Alain Berset, the […]
Covid sceptics taking up more and more Swiss police time
Some Covid sceptics and those energetically opposed to measures to stop the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus are consuming an increasing amount of police time, in particular the time of staff at Switzerland’s Federal Office of Police (Fedpol), reported RTS. The rising propensity for violence associated with Covid sceptics is taking up a lot of […]
Covid T-cell response found to last at least 6 months
A study by the UK Coronavirus Immunology Consortium (UK CIC) found T-cell immunity persisted for 6 months in a group of medical staff. The study, published as an un peer reviewed preprint, is believed to be the most significant piece of research on the subject. Unlike antibodies, which attach to the virus, T-cells attack cells […]
Covid: 370 deaths in Switzerland this week as hospitalisations rise above last peak
Over the 7 days to 6 November 2020, Switzerland’s Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) reported 370 deaths among laboratory-confirmed Covid-19 cases, bringing the death toll since summer to 676. There are currently 3,503 Covid-19 patients in hospitals across Switzerland, according to FOPH figures published by RTS. Yesterday, Switzerland was using 77% of its current intensive care capacity (1,054 places), […]
Covid: hospitalisations and deaths rise as 10,000 new daily cases reported in Switzerland
On 4 November 2020, Switzerland’s Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) reported 10,073 new cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection over 24 hours, bringing the total to 192,376. Test positivity was 28%. The challenge now facing Switzerland is hospital capacity. Hospitals could reach overload within 5 days, said Virginie Masserey of the FOPH. There are currently 3,371 Covid-19 patients in hospitals across […]
Covid: 6,100 new cases as Swiss hospitals reach breaking point
On 3 November 2020, Switzerland’s Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) reported 6,126 new cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection over 24 hours, bringing the total to 182,303. There are currently 3,219 Covid-19 patients in hospitals across Switzerland, according to FOPH figures published by RTS. This figure doubled over the last 10 days weeks and is 35% above the peak […]
Coronavirus: 21,926 cases in Switzerland over 72 hours
On 2 November 2020, Switzerland’s Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) reported 21,926 new cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection over 72 hours, bringing the total to 176,177. This weekend’s reported Covid-19 case figure in Switzerland was 26% higher than the weekend before. In addition to a rise in the number of reported laboratory-confirmed cases, a further […]
Covid: Geneva goes into semi-lockdown
On Sunday 1 November 2020, Geneva’s government announced the canton would go into semi-lockdown. Bars, restaurants and non-essential businesses in Geneva are set to close at 7pm on Monday 2 November 2020. Schools will remain open. Faced with surge in cases and a steep rise in hospitalisations, the government of Geneva decided to introduce stricter […]
Covid: a record 50,000 new weekly cases in Switzerland
Over the week to 30 October 2020, Switzerland’s Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) reported 50,598 new cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection, bringing the total to 154,251. Week-on-week reported laboratory-confirmed cases rose 73%, up from 29,231 the week before. Swiss hospitals are filling up with Covid-19 patients. An additional 279 were admitted over the last 24 hours, according to FOPH. The […]
