In the western French-speaking cantons of Switzerland, an average one third of people who have died after catching the coronavirus were residents of nursing homes for the elderly (EMS), report Le Matin Dimanche and its sister newspaper Sonntagszeitung.
However, not all cantons are affected in the same way. Residents of homes for the elderly account for almost half the victims in the cantons of Vaud (60 out of 123 deaths) and Neuchâtel (11 out of 23 deaths), while in Geneva they represent about a fifth of the deaths (19 out of 45). In the canton of Bern, this rate is around 10% (3 out of 28 deaths).
More and more people are becoming infected in these homes, write the two newspapers. In the canton of Geneva, 22 out of 54 homes are already reporting infected residents. In Bern, 20 of the 67 residents and 9 employees of one nursing home alone have become infected.
Because the sick and elderly are the most vulnerable, these homes are shut to the outside world to protect the residents, but once there is infection it spreads fast, writes Le Matin Dimanche. The confined residents find the situation very hard and often do not follow the rules, while staff often lack proper protective gear. Some staff have been trying to protect themselves with plastic bags and ski goggles, while masks are often re-used instead of being thrown away.
Proper protective clothing is vital since nursing staff work in close contact with residents to wash, feed, move and care for them. Stocks of this gear now seem to be improving, Le Matin writes.
More
More
Coronavirus: the situation in Switzerland
This content was published on
An overview of the latest Covid-related information in the Alpine nation.
What can be done to protect biodiversity in your country?
Swiss voters are set to decide on a people’s initiative calling for better protection of ecosystems in the country. Have your say on the September 22 vote.
Beleaguered Swiss watch industry calls for political support
This content was published on
The Swiss watch industry is going through difficult times as global demand declines and the strong franc piles on the pressure.
This content was published on
Hollywood star Pamela Anderson will be honoured at the Zurich Film Festival for her career and role in the film The Last Showgirl.
Switzerland to host Ukraine mine action conference in October
This content was published on
Together with Ukraine, Switzerland is organising the Ukraine Mine Action Conference (UMAC2024) in Lausanne on October 17 and 18.
Switzerland revises pension expenditure downwards by billions
This content was published on
The Swiss government has corrected downwards the projected expenditure on old-age and survivor insurance in 2033 by CHF2.5 billion ($2.66 billion).
Excess mortality rate post-Covid could persist until 2033
This content was published on
According to a report by reinsurer Swiss Re, many countries are still experiencing excess mortality following the Covid-19 pandemic.
Swiss Army ends clean-up operation in storm-hit Maggia Valley
This content was published on
The Swiss Armed Forces completed 76 flight hours during the clean-up operation following the storm in the Maggia Valley in Ticino at the end of June.
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 is a nightmare for domestic violence victims
This content was published on
Isolation in time of coronavirus also leaves more leeway for violent spouses. Victim support organisations are concerned.
What is considered enough when it comes to coronavirus testing?
This content was published on
In this second collection of answers to readers’ questions, we explore who can get tested, and whether an optimal testing rate exists.
MSF deploys Covid-19 teams in Geneva to help most vulnerable
This content was published on
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has 12 specialists in Geneva helping the main hospital as well as the homeless and other vulnerable residents.
This content was published on
We visit a memorial service in the palliative care centre of Bern’s Inselspital, where employees and relatives grieve together.
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.