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HEALTH

Coronavirus: Switzerland’s intensive care units ‘close to capacity or above’

Despite almost three weeks of shutdown measures, the situation in Switzerland's intensive care units remains critical.

Published: 17 November 2020 17:18 CET
Coronavirus: Switzerland’s intensive care units ‘close to capacity or above’
A health worker is monitoring a patient at intensive care unit for patients infected with Covid-19 at the hospital of La-Chaux-de-Fonds on November 5, 2020. Photo: FABRICE COFFRINI / AFP

In a press conference on Tuesday, Swiss heath officials warned the public to “reduce your contacts even further” as the country’s free intensive care beds continued to dwindle. 

Despite almost three weeks passing since Switzerland put in place a more extensive set of coronavirus measures, hospitalisations and fatalities remain high. 

READ: Switzerland's new coronavirus measures explained

The situation in intensive care beds is particularly dire, with several cantons “close to capacity or above”. 

Not only does this increase the risks for potential coronavirus patients, people with other serious conditions also face higher risks. 

‘We have to take the pressure off the healthcare system’

Virginie Masserey, the Head of Infection Control Section at the Federal Office of Public Health FOPH, said the number of new infections was still too high. 

In several cantons, intensive care bed capacities were already exceeded, with hospitals struggling to add extra beds. 

“We cannot count on the hospitals to constantly increase their acute beds forever,” Mastery said. 

“We absolutely have to maintain the measures. It remains the only way to take the pressure off the healthcare system. 

While infection numbers have slowed somewhat, they remain high. 

READ: What are the coronavirus measures in every Swiss canton? 

“We assume that the slowdown is due to the measures. But what is decisive is the behaviour of the population,” said Masserey. 

“Reduce your contacts even further.”

Where is the situation critical?

Andreas Stettbacher from the Federal Council Delegate for the Coordinated Medical Service (KSD) said there were 240 free intensive care beds across the country – just 21 percent of the total allocation. 

However, in individual cantons, “intensive care units are close to the capacity limit or above”. 

The situation is particularly dire in Aargau, Fribourg and Solothurn, where capacity has already exceeded 90 percent – while in Glarus ICU patients have already exceeded the canton’s capacity. 

The following chart shows how full each canton’s intensive care units are on a percentage basis. Data for Obwalden and Appenzell Innerrhoden has not been provided.  

 

 

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HEALTH

How can a foreign resident apply for Swiss disability insurance?

This particular benefit is part of the compulsory social insurance scheme for all persons living in Switzerland — including foreign citizens.

Published: 17 June 2024 13:53 CEST
How can a foreign resident apply for Swiss disability insurance?

Disability insurance (DI), also known in Switzerland as ‘invalidity’ insurance, may sound as though you have to be physically handicapped in order to be eligible to receive this benefit.

But that is not so.

It is intended to replace lost income if you can’t work for long periods of time due to health problems — whatever the type of your ailment.

According to a government brochure on this subject, “the law defines invalidity as a total or partial incapacity to work or inability to perform previous tasks. The reason for the invalidity must be an impairment of physical, mental or psychological health that cannot be overcome with medical treatment and reintegration measures. Possible causes of the health impairment are a congenital infirmity, an illness, an occupational disease or an accident.” 

Are foreigners eligible for this insurance?

Everyone working Switzerland, regardless of the nationality, is insured for DI when they pay their compulsory social security contributions.

Note, however, that you will be entitled to draw full amounts (read more about this below) only if you contribute into the social security scheme from the time you turn 21 without any gaps.

You will receive these payouts for as long as you remain in Switzerland

However, if you move away, there will be some differences  based on whether you come from the EU / EFTA states (Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein), or a third country.

Nationals of  EU / EFTA have the same DI rights as Swiss citizens — they will continue to receive the benefits even if they move back.

But if you come from elsewhere, benefits may be limited once you return to your country of origin, if that country doesn’t have a social security agreement with Switzerland.

How can you apply for these benefits?

In order to receive the DI, you will first need to complete an application form for IV/AI benefits (form available in German, French and Italian).

You will have to provide various documents, including medical certificates and other relevant paperwork detailed in the form that will allow authorities to determine whether you are eligible to receive disability  in the first place and, if so, how much (see below).

It is in your interest to register as soon as possible.

If you wait too long, your benefits may be reduced.

How much can you expect to receive?

These payments are intended to cover your essential needs, so don’t expect huge amounts.

The benefits are determined by two factors: your average salary before you become disabled, as well as the degree of your disability, which will be determined by health professionals designated by your social security office.

Logically, the more (and longer) you earned and contributed into the system, the more you will receive.

Generally speaking, the lowest possible full DI pension is currently 1,225 Swiss francs per month.

The highest is 2,450 francs per month — if  you earned 86,040 francs or more per year and you have paid uninterrupted contributions from age 21.

What if these amounts are not enough for you to live on?

In this case you could receive supplemental benefits at a level considered adequate to maintain a reasonable standard of living.

Whether or not you are eligible for these benefits depends on your combined income and your personal wealth. You can only receive supplemental benefits as long as you live in Switzerland, though — unlike the basic DI, they are not transferable abroad.

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