by © Eduard Goricev | Dreamstime.com A recently published update to the ongoing study in Geneva to assess the extent of SARS-CoV-2 infection suggests 10.8% of the population may have been infected in the first wave of infections. The study, which tests a sample of the population over time for IgG SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, started in early ...
Topics:
Investec considers the following as important: 3) Swiss Markets and News, 3.) Health, Coronavirus Switzerland, Covid-19 Switzerland, Editor's Choice, Featured, Geneva, health, newsletter, SARS-CoV-2 Switzerland
This could be interesting, too:
Guillermo Alcala writes USD/CHF slides to test 0.8645 support with US inflation data on tap
Swissinfo writes Swiss central bank posts CHF62.5bn profit
Nachrichten Ticker - www.finanzen.ch writes Trump-Faktor und Marktbedingungen könnten für neuen Bitcoin-Rekord sorgen
Charles Hugh Smith writes Is Social Media Actually “Media,” Or Is It Something Else?
© Eduard Goricev | Dreamstime.com
A recently published update to the ongoing study in Geneva to assess the extent of SARS-CoV-2 infection suggests 10.8% of the population may have been infected in the first wave of infections.
The study, which tests a sample of the population over time for IgG SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, started in early April 2020. The latest figures come from the fifth week of testing, which was concluded on 9 May 2020.
In the first week, 4.8% tested positive for antibodies, a figure that rose to 8.5% and 10.9% in the second and third weeks. In the fourth week the rate fell to 6.6% before rising to 10.8% in the fifth week. The report doesn’t explain why the percentage fell to 6.6% in the fourth week, however it suggests the results should be interpreted with caution.
By 9 May 2020, Geneva had brought the spread of the virus under control – only 82 new infections were recorded between 9 May and 9 June 2020.
If accurate, the recent antibody percentage of 10.8% suggests the infection rate is roughly 11 times higher than the recorded case figure. This would mean 89.2% of Geneva’s population avoided infection during the first wave.
Among participants over 65, 4.1% tested positive for IgG SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, a figure suggesting that 95.9% of this group avoided infection.
If the most recent antibody test results are used to calculate infection rates, the implied population-wide infection fatality rate in Geneva is 0.5%, while the rate for those over 65 is around 8.0%.
You Might Also Like
Coronavirus: WHO changes advice on masks
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently changed its advice on face masks. It now recommends healthy people wear them in public when social distancing is not possible, stating that they could provide a barrier for potentially infectious droplets.
Coronavirus: the age difference behind lower Swiss death rate
Switzerland’s Covid-19 death rate has been lower than much of the rest of Europe. A lower infection rate among older people appears to be one reason. The rates of deaths among those either recovering or dying have been particularly high in Belgium (40%), France (34%) and Italy (31%).
Coronavirus: Swiss schools and other establishments set to reopen
On 29 April 2020, Switzerland’s government announced plans to allow schools and other establishments to reopen on Monday 11 May 2020. From 11 May 2020, shops, restaurants, markets, museums, libraries, primary and lower secondary schools and sports training centres will be allowed to reopen. In addition, public transport will operate according to the standard timetable, announced the government.
Coronavirus: relatively few medical staff infected in Switzerland
In Switzerland, around 3% of medical staff have been infected with Covid-19, based on data covering the period up until Easter, according to Switzerland’s Federal Office of Public Health.
Coronavirus: the dangers of singing
As Switzerland reopens, the details around how SARS-CoV-2 spreads becomes more relevant to everyday life. Matthias Egger, the head of Switzerland’s Covid-19 task force, stresses the importance of continuing to follow social distancing and hygiene rules.
Coronavirus: new infections in Switzerland remain low
Over the last week there have been an average of 15 new SARS-CoV-2 cases a day. The first confirmed case in Switzerland was recorded on 24 February 2020. In the week that followed the number of new daily infections rose to 31. Another week later the number of new daily cases was 192.
Is the lack of inflight social distancing on SWISS airlines a risk?
Over two days last week, Thailand reported a score of new coronavirus cases. All were Thai nationals returning by air from the Middle East. Otherwise, there have been almost no new community or ‘inside country’ cases since mid-May.
Coronavirus: Switzerland holds off on open borders with Italy
Switzerland’s Federal Council announced on June 2 that it plans to maintain border restrictions with Italy until further notice as a reciprocal border arrangement with Italy would be premature.
Tags: Coronavirus Switzerland,Covid-19 Switzerland,Editor's Choice,Featured,Geneva,Health,newsletter,SARS-CoV-2 Switzerland