Several Swiss hospitals are planning to roll out blood testing to evaluate how many people have already been infected by Covid-19 – including those who may have already built up immunity.
The Lausanne University Hospital in canton Vaud – the Swiss region with most positive cases thus far – will conduct between 1,000 and 2,000 tests daily starting in about ten days, Swiss public media RTSExternal link writes.
They will firstly be aimed at hospital staff and patients, as well as a sample of the population.
Gilbert Greub of the hospital’s microbiology department told RTS that such testing would begin to offer a broader picture of the crisis, since currently only people with symptoms are currently being tested.
External Content
Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Almost finished… We need to confirm your email address. To complete the subscription process, please click the link in the email we just sent you.
Analysing a blood sample can reveal antibodies specific to the coronavirus, he said. A sample of 5,000 people, representative of the population, would be enough to draw broader conclusions. More knowledge on the number of people who have built up immunity would be essential for avoiding a second or third wave of infections once confinement measures are eased, he said.
“Once a person has contracted the coronavirus, they are probably immune, and thus protected,” Greub said. “The question is how long this immunity lasts. […] The issue of mutation arises, and we could imagine that a slightly different virus would be able to re-infect such a person.”
Greub said that some 70-80% of the population would need to be immune in order to stave off a new wave.
No such test is currently planned on the national level, though hospitals in Zurich, St Gallen, and Geneva are planning them in their respective regions.
More
More
Coronavirus: the situation in Switzerland
This content was published on
An overview of the latest Covid-related information in the Alpine nation.
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-backed ‘Hera’ asteroid mission hits key milestone with Mars flyby
This content was published on
According to the European Space Agency (ESA), the Red Planet’s gravity will tweak the probe’s path, cutting months off the journey and saving a lot of fuel.
Swiss man arrested over Geneva parcel bomb attacks
This content was published on
A 61-year-old Swiss man was arrested in Geneva in connection with the parcel bomb incidents that left a man and a 12-year-old girl seriously injured.
UN officials in Geneva report over 100 civilian executions in western Syria
This content was published on
Verification is ongoing, and the actual number is likely higher, said a UN spokesperson in Geneva. A Syrian NGO claims executions could exceed 1,000.
Swiss pharma giant Roche partners with Zealand Pharma on new obesity treatment
This content was published on
Roche announced that it has struck an exclusive deal with Denmark's Zealand Pharma to develop and market petrelintide, a new treatment for obesity.
Experts lower Swiss growth forecasts due to US trade tensions
This content was published on
The uncertainty caused by ongoing trade conflicts is making companies hesitant to make decisions, which significantly hinders investment.
Swiss abbot resumes role following abuse investigation
This content was published on
Scarcella was accused in the Catholic Church abuse scandal last autumn. In October 2024, the Vatican declared there was no evidence of abuse or harassment against him.
Swiss stock exchange operator SIX to cut 150 jobs in efficiency drive
This content was published on
"We're not revealing the number of job losses at each location at the moment," said a SIX spokesperson. However, there will be cuts in Switzerland as well.
Martin Pfister named new Swiss government minister
This content was published on
Pfister’s election keeps the linguistic balance of Switzerland’s government, but shifts gender balance to only two women.
Swiss interior minister meets UN leaders in New York for women’s rights session
This content was published on
The Swiss interior minister also held bilateral meetings with UN Secretary-General António Guterres and Sima Sami Bahous, Executive Director of UN Women
The image of foreigners in Switzerland has deteriorated
This content was published on
The Federal Statistical Office has found that Swiss people’s views of foreigners have worsened over the last couple of years.
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
Chasing the numbers behind the virus in Switzerland
This content was published on
For those not on the frontline, the fight to rein in the spread of the coronavirus often boils down to watching an unfolding data game.
Rapid spread of coronavirus complicates systematic testing
This content was published on
The Swiss government has been criticised for its targeted coronavirus testing approach but locally, testing infrastructure is increasing.
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.