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HEALTH

Newly released figures show Switzerland is flattening the coronavirus curve

New coronavirus infections in Switzerland have reached their lowest levels in more than two months.

Published: 5 May 2020 18:46 CEST
Newly released figures show Switzerland is flattening the coronavirus curve
Coronavirus testing in northern Italy. Photo: Marco BERTORELLO / AFP

On Tuesday, May 5th, there were a total of 28 new infections in Switzerland. It marks the first time that fewer than 50 new infections have been recorded in total across the country since March 5th, while it is the lowest daily total since March 4th. 

 

 

There were 76 infections recorded by the Federal Office of Public Health from Sunday to Monday, compared with 76 from Saturday to Sunday. 

In addition, new figures from the Swiss Federal Statistical Office have shown declining mortality in all but one region across the country. 

Looking at figures from late April, the Federal Stats Office compared usual mortality rates for over 65s to those this year. 

Given the uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus and difficulties testing the deceased, this has been considered a helpful metric in determining the true impact of the virus – while also providing a base of comparison with other illnesses such as the seasonal flu. 

In Switzerland’s seven major regions, the death rates were within the annual projections for this time of year in all but two: the Lake Geneva and Ticino regions. 

Although the rates were higher than the yearly average in these two regions, the data showed they were decreasing. 

Experts have greeted the news as a sign the country’s lockdown measures have been working, although they have indicated the country must proceed with caution in winding back lockdown restrictions. 

READ: Experts warn of second coronavirus wave in Switzerland

International Hand Washing Day

Tuesday was also International Hand Washing Day, with FOPH spokesman Daniel Koch releasing a video in English while challenging several others to follow suit. 

 

 

Alongside Health Minister Alain Berset, Koch has been at the forefront of Switzerland’s daily press briefings on the battle against the coronavirus. 

 

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HEALTH INSURANCE

Could glasses and contact lenses soon be covered by Swiss health insurance?

The Swiss health system is ranked among the best in the world, but some essentials, like glasses, aren't automatically covered by health insurance. That could soon change, however

Published: 16 May 2024 15:06 CEST
Could glasses and contact lenses soon be covered by Swiss health insurance?

Green Party Federal Councillor Katharina Prelicz-Huber revealed in an interview with newspaper 20 Minuten this week that the Federal Parliament had tabled a motion to include prescription glasses and contact lenses in Switzerland’s mandatory health insurance scheme. 

Prelicz-Huber stated: “The purpose of compulsory health insurance is to provide the services you need to get or stay healthy,”

The motion forms part of the legislation that will be voted on during the 2024 summer session of the Federal Council. 

Proposed changes 

According to Switzerland’s peak optician body, 4 in 5 Swiss wear glasses or contact lenses at some point. 

It’s no surprise that statistics repository, Statista, projects the Swiss eyewear industry to be worth €1.37 billion by 2028. 

Currently, glasses and contact lenses are covered for up to 180 francs for children until age eighteen, if they are proscribed by a doctor.

Adults can also claim money back for glasses and contact lenses – however, they must be suffering from one of a short list of specific conditions such as keratoconus – where the cornea is distorted – or severe myopia, otherwise known as near-sightedness.

They must also have been specifically prescribed them by a doctor or optometrist. 

Otherwise, supplemental optical insurance must be purchased in Switzerland to ensure you can recoup the cost. 

Under the Green Party proposal, glasses, contact lenses, and other visual aids would be covered, regardless of age. 

Rising premiums prompt opposition 

Not everybody agrees with the proposal. 

The right-wing SVP has already spoken out against it, with Federal Councillor Diana Gutjahr arguing: “If we seriously want to slow down the burdensome and constantly rising health costs for the benefit of the population, we [must] show the political will not to constantly expand the benefits of compulsory health insurance.”

A spokesman for the the health insurance advocacy group Santesuisse, Matthias Müller, echoed Gutjahr, claiming that insurance constitutes “financing for extraordinary events such as illness.”

“If almost everyone benefits from a certain service, it is no longer an insurance benefit.”

A date for the vote has yet to be announced. 

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