Contact tracing not working properly, writes paper
Contact tracing is part of the government's strategy to break chains of infection.
Keystone / Laurent Gillieron
Contact tracing is no longer working in some parts of Switzerland, owing to the recent sharp rise in coronavirus cases, reports the SonntagsZeitung newspaper.
In Zurich, for example, it says the contact tracing team is so overwhelmed that the canton now leaves it to potentially infected people to alert their contacts themselves. This is confirmed to the paper by cantonal health department spokeswoman Lina Lanz.
Sonntagszeitung says it also knows of several cases in which contact tracing failed and potentially infected persons were not alerted. In many cantons, only 10-20% of newly infected persons were quarantined at the time of a positive coronavirus test, it writes.
“Greater efficiency is needed to break chains of infection,” Bern-based epidemiologist Nicola Low tells the paper. “The rate of those already in quarantine when the infection is confirmed must be increased to 80 percent.”
Marcel Tanner, epidemiologist and member of the government’s Covid-19 taskforce admits that “contact tracing is reaching its limits in some places”. But he says “we must not give up contact tracing now under any circumstances” and the cantons must “make even greater efforts, otherwise a second wave will hit us”.
The number of new daily cases across Switzerland this week rose to over 1,000 for the first time since the height of the pandemic in spring.
More
More
Switzerland at ‘critical’ moment in pandemic
This content was published on
The head of the government’s Covid-19 taskforce has expressed concern about the rising number of cases .
A spokesman for the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) has told the Swiss news agency Keystone-SDA that the government is working, in collaboration with the cantons, on a winter strategy to fight coronavirus. The strategy will be announced in the coming weeks, he said.
He thus confirmed a report in the NZZ am Sonntag newspaper on Sunday saying the government is considering various scenarios for regional lockdowns to stop the spread of the virus. The article is sourced to reports of telephone conversations between the FOPH and cantonal doctors.
Popular Stories
More
Swiss Politics
In Switzerland, New Year brings ‘burka ban’ and pension hikes
This content was published on
A Swiss study suggests that the Gulf Stream hasn’t weakened yet, but it’s too early to sound the all-clear on future climate change.
Switzerland adopts EU rules to curb illegal air entry into Schengen
This content was published on
The Swiss government has approved EU rules on sharing passenger information to prevent air passengers from illegally entering the Schengen area.
Swiss skier dies after accident on Bernese Oberland slopes
This content was published on
An 80-year-old Swiss man died on Monday following an accident on a marked piste in the Adelboden-Lenk ski area in the Bernese Oberland.
International and Swiss experts call for new obesity guidelines
This content was published on
A group of global experts, including Swiss doctors, has issued a report calling for a new definition of obesity that goes beyond BMI.
Iran and EU discuss nuclear issues, Russia and the Middle East in Switzerland
This content was published on
After meeting with French, German, and British representatives on Monday, Iran continued its talks with the EU representative in Geneva.
This content was published on
Lucerne-based steelmaker Swiss Steel has confirmed it will cut 130 jobs in Emmenbrücke, despite the emergency aid promised by Switzerland’s parliament.
Swiss SGS and French Bureau Veritas eye $35 billion merger
This content was published on
The Swiss inspection firm SGS has confirmed it is in talks with the French company Bureau Veritas about a potential merger of nearly $35 billion.
European committee raises alarm over police violence in western Switzerland
This content was published on
A Council of Europe committee is concerned about police practices in western Switzerland, citing “allegations of physical mistreatment” against detainees.
Swiss factory rushes to prepare for Moderna Covid-19 vaccine
This content was published on
Workers are racing to set up production lines at the Lonza factory in Visp to be able to start making a vaccine for US firm Moderna later this year.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.