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.
Switzerland participates in ASEAN foreign ministers’ meeting
This content was published on
This engagement was part of a four-day tour of Southeast Asia, aimed at advancing the Swiss Federal Council's Southeast Asia Strategy.
Majority of shareholders approve sustainability reports of major Swiss companies
This content was published on
Shareholders have approved the sustainability reports of the largest Swiss companies by a large majority at their annual general meetings.
EU releases €1.5B frozen assets to Ukraine: Switzerland opts out
This content was published on
The EU announced the release of €1.5 billion (CHF1.44 billion) in aid to Ukraine. Switzerland will not follow the EU's approach.
Five people charged in connection with deadly Swiss rockslide
This content was published on
Five people have been charged with multiple negligent homicide in connection with the deadly Bondo rockslide that occurred seven years ago.
‘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.