Ten laboratories in Switzerland can now carry out coronavirus tests, Health Minister Alain Berset announced on Wednesday. Prior to Monday they were all done by one laboratory in Geneva.
The ten laboratories can together perform 1,000 tests per day, he told a press conference, noting that capacity has been almost tripled since last week.
The coronavirus patient, an elderly man from the southern canton of Ticino, is in isolation in a clinic in Lugano and is reported to be doing well.
On Monday, the government decided to beef up measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus from neighbouring Italy, including tests for people with flu-like symptoms and stepping up information and advisory services.
Berset said a campaign of information for travellers and commuters at borders and airports would start on Thursday, with flyers and posters. A hygiene campaign will be launched the same day and the existing telephone hotline strengthened.
The telephone hotline has been inundated with calls, according to operator Medgate. Most calls have been about travel to Asia and Italy, and what hygiene steps to protect against infection.
Swiss in Tenerife quarantine
Meanwhile, the foreign ministry says several Swiss citizens have been quarantined in a hotel in Tenerife after some Italian guests there tested positive for coronavirus. The ministry says the Swiss, whose exact number is not clear, are well, and that it is in contact with them and the relevant Spanish authorities.
And the Lufthansa airline group, which includes Swiss International Airlines, has suspended all passenger flights to mainland China until the end of March as a result of the virus outbreak, and reduced flights to Hong Kong. Swiss will now fly to Hing Kong only five times a week instead of every day, and will use smaller planes.
More
More
Switzerland confirms first coronavirus case
This content was published on
Switzerland reported its first coronavirus case on Tuesday found in canton Ticino, which borders Italy.
Is reforming the Swiss pension system still possible, and if so, how?
Solutions still need to be found to meet the challenge of an ageing population and to improve the pensions of low-paid workers, the majority of whom are women.
Swiss to reduce administrative burden on farms from 2026
This content was published on
From 2026, the number of inspections of farms is to be reduced, without any loss of quality, said economics minister Guy Parmelin.
Swiss insurance boss proposes Singapore-style healthcare system
This content was published on
CEO of Swiss health insurer Sanitas has said that healthcare costs could be reduced if Switzerland were to follow the Singapore model.
Swiss minister talks crime and security in visit to the Netherlands
This content was published on
Swiss justice minister Beat Jans spent two days in the Netherlands discussing security, police cooperation and justice with international bodies.
Study finds more heavy metal detected in Swiss grassland
This content was published on
Copper and zinc can be expected to accumulate in the soil, particularly if farmyard manure is used for several years and is greater than the amount of nutrients absorbed by the grass. This was announced by the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) on Friday. The findings are based on the results of the seventh National Soil Monitoring of Switzerland (Nabo).
Lilo Baur wins Swiss Grand Prix for performing arts
This content was published on
The Swiss actress and theatre director Lilo Baur has received this year's Swiss Grand Prix for Performing Arts, also known as the Hans Reinhart Ring.
Court rules al-Qaeda supporter can stay in Switzerland
This content was published on
A Kurdish supporter of the Islamist terrorist network al-Qaeda can stay in Switzerland, the Federal Administrative Court has ruled. It has withdrawn the annulment of the man’s provisional admission.
This content was published on
The Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland (OAG) has closed criminal proceedings relating to the Swiss owners affected by the Volkswagen “Dieselgate” emissions scandal.
This content was published on
The employment outlook in Switzerland will remain stable towards the end of 2024, according to the KOF Swiss Economic Institute at ETH Zurich.
Swiss woman accuses Donald Trump of sexual assault
This content was published on
A former Miss Switzerland candidate has accused Donald Trump of sexually assaulting her in New York in 1993. The US Republican candidate’s campaign team has denied the accusations.
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.
Read more
More
Coronavirus: Head-shaking doctors and non-hand-shaking workers
This content was published on
A day after the first confirmed Swiss case of coronavirus, some doctors have accused the government of “irresponsibly” underestimating the danger.
Coronavirus: Ticino and its cross-border workers from Italy
This content was published on
More than a quarter of the workforce in canton Ticino commutes from Italy every day. Some locals want the government to close the border.
Swiss step up precautions to prevent spread of coronavirus
This content was published on
Authorities say measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus from Italy are stepped up, but the situation in Switzerland is under control.
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.