by © Anyaivanova | Dreamstime.com Coronavirus testing has been rationed in Switzerland, reserving it for high risk more severe cases, although doctors retain discretion to have anyone tested. It is likely those that have been infected and have recovered will have immunity and no longer be able to act as carriers of the disease. However, without an antibody test, ...
Topics:
Investec considers the following as important: 3) Swiss Markets and News, 3.) Health, Coronavirus Switzerland, Covid-19 Switzerland, Editor's Choice, Featured, health, newsletter
This could be interesting, too:
Frank Shostak writes Assumptions in Economics and in the Real World
Conor Sanderson writes The Betrayal of Free Speech: Elon Musk Buckles to Government Censorship, Again
Nachrichten Ticker - www.finanzen.ch writes Bitcoin erstmals über 80.000 US-Dollar
Nachrichten Ticker - www.finanzen.ch writes Kraken kündigt eigene Blockchain ‘Ink’ an – Neue Ära für den Krypto-Markt?
© Anyaivanova | Dreamstime.com
Coronavirus testing has been rationed in Switzerland, reserving it for high risk more severe cases, although doctors retain discretion to have anyone tested.
It is likely those that have been infected and have recovered will have immunity and no longer be able to act as carriers of the disease. However, without an antibody test, all those who didn’t qualify for a test, will have no way of confirming whether or not they have had it.
This means a Covid-19 antibody test could be a game changer. Those testing positive for the antibodies could soon leave isolation, get back to work and start supporting the businesses forced to close under the lockdown.
The recorded number of infections, currently nearly 11,000 in Switzerland, is likely the tip of the iceberg. For example, there are whole families reporting symptoms, where no family member has been tested. In addition, many with the virus appear to have no symptoms. These people would not have sought a test even if one had been available.
According to report by RTS, Swiss authorities are looking at the reliability of certain antibody tests already on the market. Antibody testing involves taking and analysing a blood sample.
Once the most effective test is identified, the authorities plan to order the largest number possible, a promise made last week by Daniel Koch, head of the transmissible disease division of the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH).
You Might Also Like
Coronavirus: infection rates in some Swiss cantons now higher than Lombardy
Lombardy, the region in northern Italy where the coronavirus outbreak first took off in Europe, now has fewer per capita cases testing positive for the virus than some Swiss cantons. Recent data from Italy show there were 179 cases per 100,000 in Lombardy. In Ticino, Switzerland’s worst affected canton, there were 329 cases per 100,000. Geneva (231) and Vaud (211) had Switzerland’s next highest rates.
Coronavirus: estimating the death toll in Switzerland
COVID-19 has hit the world fast and we are racing to understand it, while struggling to come to terms with its deadly impact. When trying to estimate the impact, it is tempting to take the current number of deaths and divide it by the number of reported cases. However, the resulting percentage is meaningless.
Coronavirus: youngest death so far brings Swiss death toll to four
The coronavirus has claimed its fourth victim in Switzerland. A 54 year old man died yesterday in Binningen hospital in the canton of Basel-Landschaft, according to the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH).
Coronavirus: too late to close Swiss borders
Switzerland’s government and health officials presented a coronavirus update yesterday. Key elements of the presentation are set out below. The full coronavirus press update can be viewed above in German.
Coronavirus: an estimate of the real number of infections in Switzerland
Today, according to the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH), there were 815 confirmed cases in Switzerland. There are obvious challenges to this figure. Possibly the most important is the time lag between infection and a confirmed case.
Coronavirus: Swiss hospitals have around 750 breathing ventilators
One of the biggest challenges during the coronavirus outbreak will be ensuring there are enough qualified staff and equipment to keep the worst affected patients alive. Thierry Fumeaux, head of the Swiss Society of Intensive Medicine, told RTS there are 82 intensive care units (ICU) across Switzerland. These have a combined 850 places, of which 750 are equipped with breathing equipment. It is not clear how many of these places are currently available.
Swiss government announces further restrictions to slow spread of virus
At a press conference at 5pm on 16 March 2020, members of the Federal Council presented a list of further restrictions designed to slow the spread of the Covid-19 virus, that will become active from midnight tonight. A video of the conference can be viewed below.
Is Ibuprofen dangerous for those infected with the coronavirus?
Ibuprofen belongs to a family of drugs known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. On 14 March 2020, Olivier Véran, France’s health minister Tweeted that taking anti-inflammatory medicine “could be an aggravating factor” for those infected with Covid-19, and recommended paracetamol for those with a fever.
Tags: Coronavirus Switzerland,Covid-19 Switzerland,Editor's Choice,Featured,Health,newsletter