New coronavirus: Situation in Switzerland

Data on confirmed cases of coronavirus infections and deaths due to the disease, the epidemiological situation, the search for antibodies, the advisory body, press conferences and news can all be found here.

Epidemiological situation in Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein

The following data are available from 26 cantons and the Principality of Liechtenstein. The figures are updated at least every Wednesday and Friday.

Situation report on the epidemiological situation in Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein available in German (PDF, 345 kB, 13.08.2020); French (PDF, 281 kB, 13.08.2020) or Italian (PDF, 449 kB, 13.08.2020)

Data from the situation report available in German (XLS, 24 kB, 13.08.2020); French (XLS, 24 kB, 13.08.2020) or Italian (XLS, 24 kB, 13.08.2020)

Previous situation reports available in German (ZIP, 84 MB, 13.08.2020); French (ZIP, 110 MB, 13.08.2020) or Italian (ZIP, 94 MB, 13.08.2020)

The figures published here are based on notifications received early today from laboratories, medical practices and hospitals. They may therefore differ from those communicated by the cantons.

12.8.2020, Weekly report, week 32

Weekly situation report on the epidemiological situation in Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein available in German (PDF, 1 MB, 12.08.2020); French (PDF, 1 MB, 12.08.2020) or Italian (PDF, 1 MB, 12.08.2020)

7.5.2020, Interim report regarding the new coronavirus in Switzerland and in the Principality of Liechtenstein

COVID-19: Epidemiological interim report, dated 27 April 2020 available in German (PDF, 1 MB, 07.05.2020); French (PDF, 1 MB, 07.05.2020) or Italian (PDF, 1 MB, 07.05.2020)

The report sets out the general epidemiological situation and the impact of the measures taken by the government with regard to the new coronavirus. It is being released to coincide with the first phase of measures being eased.

COVID-19 implementation monitoring

In May 2020 the Confederation and cantons developed a joint implementation monitoring programme. This programme and the evaluation of its findings provide the Federal Council with an important basis for decisions on how to continue, adapt or ease protective measures and recommendations. There are three key questions guiding the monitoring process:

• What is the current spread of the virus?
• What precautionary measures are in place?
• How is the public behaving?

Search for antibodies

How many people in Switzerland have already had the new coronavirus? Does having the infection and recovering from it mean you are then immune? A national study by the Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), a network comprising 12 Swiss universities, has launched a national study to find the answers to these questions.

Based on a proposal by Professor Milo Puhan, Head of the Institute of Epidemiology at the University of Zurich, the study aims to establish:

• how many people in Switzerland have already been infected with new coronavirus;
• if having the infection creates immunity from renewed infection;
• if so, how long this immunity lasts.

This will involve testing and examining around 25,000 members of the general public and people in specific professional groups at regular intervals up to October 2020. A blood test determines whether a person has had the virus: the presence of antibodies in the blood indicates that they have.

We are providing funding and expertise for this study. The findings will provide valuable information which will help the cantons and the federal government to determine how to proceed in dealing with the coronavirus pandemic, and to decide on a vaccination programme in Switzerland at a later date.

Link: https://www.corona-immunitas.ch/

Scientific advisory body

The ‘Swiss National COVID-19 Science Task Force’ (SN-STF) is a scientific advisory body set up by the Confederation. Its members comprise researchers from across the Swiss scientific community. Through its work, the SN-STF is helping to overcome the coronavirus pandemic. It is providing its expertise in the fields of science and research to the relevant political authorities.

Since 1 August 2020, the Task Force has been headed by Martin Ackermann, expert in microbiology at the ETH Zurich and Eawag. The present head, Matthias Egger, is continuing to act as an expert for the SN-STF.

The SN-STF receives its mandate from the Federal Council’s Coronavirus Crisis Unit (KSBC), the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) and the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innvoation (SERI).

Further information may be found on the website of the Swiss National COVID-19 Science Task Force.

Managing the coronavirus crisis: federal government wants to involve organisations and groups

The Federal Council Coronavirus Crisis Unit (KSBC) has set up the COVID-19 Civil Society Point of Contact. It offers a platform for exchanges with civil society. Non-profit and politically independent organisations and groups can submit concerns and ideas, which the Point of Contact then gathers and examines.

Aims of the COVID-19 Civil Society Point of Contact:

• Involving civil society in managing the coronavirus crisis
• Facilitating and improving dialogue between the Federal Administration and civil society
• Harnessing the potential of civil society initiatives
• Helping to manage the coronavirus crisis

The Civil Society Point of Contact looks forward to receiving your concerns and ideas. You can find further information and a contact form on the COVID-19 Civil Society Point of Contact website.