Calls are growing for Switzerland to keep better track of people suffering from Long Covid to gain an understanding of the symptoms and the overall impact on society.
This content was published on
2 minutes
Criticism centres on the fact that there is no central database to record the number and severity of Long Covid cases – a device that could improve understanding of the new medical condition.
“Long Covid could turn out to be another major health policy problem,” neuroscientist Dominique de Quervain told the SonntagsBlick newspaper on Sunday.
While some people recover completely after catching Covid-19, others suffer from continuous side-effects, such as energy loss, shortness of breath and memory lapses.
More
More
‘Long Covid’ sufferers fight for help and recognition
This content was published on
Long Covid: In the UK there are special clinics for sufferers. But in Switzerland they are still fighting for help and recognition.
Understanding of Long Covid is limited to individual studies, one of which in Switzerland found that 39% of infected people in the study had long-term effects months after contracting the virus.
It has also been found that women are more likely to suffer from long Covid than men, but it is not known why.
The Neue Zürcher Zeitung (NZZ) newspaper on Saturday quoted a family doctor who also called for a central database to gain insights into the condition.
No legal basis
Basel infectiologist Manuel Battegay told the SonntagsZeitung that a database is not enough. He called for a coordinated national study into Long Covid.
Quite apart from the suffering Long Covid inflicts on individuals, there is a fear that the condition could place a strain on the welfare insurance system.
A spokesperson for the Federal Office of Public Health told the NZZ that there is no legal basis for the government launching a central database.
“It makes sense that the phenomenon should first be researched in various research projects and studies,” she said.
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 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.
‘Long Covid’ sufferers fight for help and recognition
This content was published on
Long Covid: In the UK there are special clinics for sufferers. But in Switzerland they are still fighting for help and recognition.
Study: some patients suffer persistent lung damage after Covid-19
This content was published on
Severe Covid-19 can result in prolonged impairment of oxygen in the lungs even four months after infection, a nationwide Swiss study has found.
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.