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UPDATE: What is the coronavirus situation in Switzerland and where are cases rising?

As Christmas approaches Covid-19 infections in Switzerland remain high, particularly in certain parts of the country. Here's a look at the latest evolution of the virus spread.

Published: 15 December 2020 12:34 CET

UPDATE: What is the coronavirus situation in Switzerland and where are cases rising?

The number of cases is till high in Switzerland. Photo by AFP

Data from the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) shows what the latest epidemiological situation is in various Swiss regions.

More than 4,270 cases of Covid-19 were reported in Switzerland on December 15th.

While this number is lower than it was at the end of October, when daily cases reached 10,000, the infections “are stagnating at a high level”, Health Minister Alain Berset said.

The epicentre of the pandemic now lies in the eastern part of Switzerland, according to FOPH.

With over 951 cases per 100,000 residents, the canton of St. Gallen has the highest number of infections.

Next is Ticino with nearly 950 cases per 100,000, followed by Solothurn (762), Thurgau (775), Basel-Country (738), Aargau (716), and Zurich (705).

They are all above the national average of 652 cases per 100,000.

On the other hand, the French-speaking region, which at the beginning of November was among the worst-hit in Europe, is now well below the national average.

This drop in numbers is due to strict measures that all the French-language cantons implemented to curb the spread of infections.

READ MORE: EXPLAINED: Why are Covid-19 infections on the rise again in Switzerland?

As far as hospitalisations go, the highest number of patients with Covid-related illnesses in the past two weeks has been in Ticino, where the rate is over 48 for 100,000.

This is the only canton whose rate of hospitalisations exceeds the national average of 49 cases per 100,000.

The lowest numbers are in Zug (2.35) Jura (2.72), and Neuchâtel (2.83).

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What does the increase in the number of Covid cases in Switzerland mean?

While the worst of the Covid pandemic is long over, and experts don’t expect it to re-emerge with the same strength and health consequences as it had in 2020, new cases have been reported in the past weeks.

Wastewater analysis, one of the means employed by health officials to measure the presence of coronavirus, indicates a viral load that is at least five times higher than usual, with values “now almost as high as in some previous Omicron-related waves,” Christoph Ort, spokesperson for Eawag Institute, which traces Covid viruses in 14 wastewater treatment plants in Switzerland, told the media.

What does this mean?

According to Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH), the most common sub-variant in Switzerland right now is the highly transmissible XBB, also known as ‘Kraken.’

The Eris and Pirola variants, which circulated in the summer and early fall are also still present.

While none is nearly as dangerous (at least for most people) as the early Alpha and Delta viruses, which claimed hundreds of thousands of lives in the early stages of the pandemic, there is a reason for concern nevertheless.

“It’s a start of a small wave,” said Rudolf Hauri, head of the Cantonal Doctors’ Association.

“More people are being admitted to hospitals again with, or because of, coronavirus. There are also new cases in intensive care units, but these are generally people with a medical history.”

Should you be worried?

While the number of people with serious Covid-related complications is not expected to be as high as previously, the rise in the number of infections should not be trivialised either, infectious disease specialists say.

This is especially important for people in the high-risk category — those over 65 or suffering from chronic illnesses — who can get quite sick if infected with the new variants, according to FOPH.

This is all the more important as the flu season is about to begin in Switzerland as well, and the confluence of both illnesses, plus other respiratory viruses that typically circulate during the winter, can be very risky.

What can you do to protect yourself?

Other than adopting the same protective measures as those during the pandemic — that is, washing hands, avoiding close contacts and crowded spaces, and wearing masks where needed — health officials also recommend top-up shots, for both Covid and flu.

READ ALSO: Who should get top-up Covid and flu jabs in Switzerland?

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