Covid research helped Swiss response, says Science Foundation
The National Science Foundation says it has funded important Covid-19 research in Switzerland which also helped the government to adapt its recommendations.
Keystone / Michael Buholzer
The National Science Foundation's CHF45 million ($45.8 million) support to Covid-19 research in Switzerland has made an important contribution to tackling the pandemic so far, it saidExternal link on Tuesday.
This content was published on
2 minutes
RTS/jc
Despite high pressure and sometimes difficult working conditions, researchers have presented impressive results, said epidemiologist Marcel Salathé of the Federal Technology Institute Lausanne (EPFL) who chairs the steering committee of the National Research Programme “Covid-19”. This programme includes 200 researchers involved in 28 projects with a total of CHF20 million.
In the early phase of the pandemic, epidemiological and monitoring projects provided important findings on the transmissibility of the virus, mobility patterns of the population during the partial lockdown, and degree of acceptance of restrictions, which allowed the Swiss government to adapt its recommendations, says the Science Foundation.
Another early milestone was the development of an inexpensive mass test by EPFL researchers which made it possible for the first time to detect Covid-19-specific antibodies in broad population groups, including in kindergartens.
It says EAWAGExternal link wastewater monitoring, which measures the concentration of Covid-19 viruses in water bodies, was a “resounding success” and has now been extended to over a hundred sites.
Important findings in the biomedical field include effects of the virus on children, on the mental and cognitive health of adults, and recognition of Long Covid as a health problem that is still not sufficiently understood, according to the press release.
Results from tests on Covid-19 patients of drugs originally developed for other diseases were more mixed. Although there were some “successful approaches”, some studies were also discontinued “as the strategies pursued proved ineffective”, says the science foundation.
Ongoing research includes the development of new vaccines and a nasal spray vaccine for Covid-19.
Popular Stories
More
Swiss Abroad
The citizenship obstacle course facing spouses of Swiss Abroad
As a Swiss Abroad, how do you feel about the emergence of more conservative family policies in some US states?
In recent years several US states have adopted more conservative policies on family issues, abortion and education. As a Swiss citizen living there, how do you view this development?
Swiss diocese introduces code of conduct to tackle church abuse
This content was published on
The Diocese of Sion has introduced a code of conduct to tackle all forms of church-related abuse. A prevention commission has also been established.
Women are the victims of most domestic shootings in Switzerland
This content was published on
Between 2015 and 2022, only one of the 41 perpetrators of domestic gun homicides was female. The vast majority of these cases were femicides.
Swiss army to invest in military equipment and decommission Patrouille Suisse jets
This content was published on
The Swiss army is set to spend CHF1.5 billion on new armaments. The 2025 Armed Forces Dispatch also plans to decommission the current Patrouille Suisse.
Geneva report urges ICJ action against Nicaragua for ‘repression’
This content was published on
International investigators in Geneva have accused Nicaragua's regime of possible crimes against humanity, urging the country be brought before the ICJ.
Swiss defence ministry files criminal complaint over resignation leaks
This content was published on
The Swiss defence ministry has filed a criminal complaint after leaks about the resignations of the army and intelligence chiefs.
WHO’s global lab network faces collapse without new funding
This content was published on
As measles cases surge in Texas, Geneva-based WHO warns its largest global laboratory network is on the brink of collapse unless new funding is secured.
Charges dropped in Geneva parcel bomb investigation
This content was published on
The Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland (OAG) is looking to drop the case against two brothers linked to the Geneva parcel bomb incidents.
German and Swiss men arrested in Zurich cocaine raid
This content was published on
Swiss police seized four kilos of cocaine and over CHF100,000 in cash from two suspected drug dealers in Schlieren, near Zurich.
Swiss and German virologists raise hopes of nasal coronavirus vaccine
This content was published on
Swiss and German virologists working on a nasal vaccine for Covid-19 say such a technique could be much more effective against the virus.
Swiss researchers discover antibody signature that could predict Long Covid
This content was published on
Immunologists in Zurich found lower levels of two types of immunoglobulins in patients who developed post-acute Covid-19 syndrome.
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.