With 88 new cases recorded on Thursday, the spread of the coronavirus has “slightly stabilised”, said the country’s top health official.
Stefan Kuster, head of infectious diseases at the Federal Office for Public Health (FOPH), said at a press conference on Thursday that he was glad to see the number of new cases sink again below three figures. Wednesday had seen 129 new positives recorded.
However, he added, the reproduction rate – how many other people a sick person infects – still stands at 1.38. The objective remains to lower this below one, Kuster said.
The new cases are spread around the country, with the larger cantons recording larger growth, and most transmissions happening in nightclubs and discos, but also at funerals and in workplaces, Kuster said.
He also said that a quarter of the new cases were people who had visited “at-risk” countries where the virus is more widespread than in Switzerland.
In order to stem the further spread of such cases, Kuster said that more information would be provided for people coming from abroad about the need to self-quarantine upon arrival in Switzerland – but there would be no systematic controls at airports or border crossings.
Last week, Switzerland published a list of 29 “high risk” countries, from which travellers need to go into quarantine for 10 days after entering Switzerland. Under Swiss law anyone who breaks the regulations could be liable to a fine of up to CHF10,000 ($10,668).
Some 3,000 people in the country are currently in quarantine. Cantonal authorities, who also conduct contact tracing to track the chain of infections, check in with quarantined people to see if they are following the rules.
At the press conference, Linda Nartey, the chief doctor in Canton Bern, said that her staff had faced some “unpleasant experiences” from travellers such as quarantine not being respected, or being insulted during check-ups.
More
More
Coronavirus: the latest numbers
This content was published on
Here is an overview of the most important Swiss-related coronavirus data and graphs, which are updated automatically.
In Switzerland more people are being referred to electrical therapies or psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. Are there similar approaches where you live?
Electricity reserves still needed in Switzerland in midterm
This content was published on
Switzerland's energy supply remains uncertain. Electricity reserves are still needed in the medium term, the Federal Electricity Commission (ElCom) said.
ICRC says next few days will be ‘decisive’ for aid to Gaza
This content was published on
The next few days will be absolutely decisive if the Geneva-based International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to continue providing aid in the Gaza Strip, said its director-general Pierre Krähenbühl.
Switzerland unveils a national drought-detection system
This content was published on
Switzerland launched on Thursday a new national system for detecting drought and warning the population and authorities in advance.
Federal coffers to get CHF100 million boost from Swiss Post
This content was published on
Swiss Post will pay a dividend of CHF100 million ($121 million) to the Confederation this year, the company announced on Thursday.
Swiss Federal Railways satisfied with bodycams for transport police
This content was published on
Since the introduction of body-worn cameras, the frequency of assaults on Swiss Federal Railways transport police has fallen by 25%.
Zurich cantonal government to compensate victims of forced labour
This content was published on
Victims of past forced labour measures in canton Zurich could soon apply to receive a one-off solidarity compensation of CHF25,000 ($30,255).
Risk of a real-estate bubble in Switzerland grew in first quarter
This content was published on
The risk of a bubble in the Swiss property market increased slightly in the first three months of the year compared with the previous quarter, says UBS.
French authorities order Nestlé to remove its filtration system
This content was published on
Authorities in the south of France have served formal notice to Nestlé Waters, a subsidiary of the Swiss food giant, to "withdraw within two months" its microfiltration system for its Perrier mineral water.
Switzerland says pushbacks at border by Germany are unlawful
This content was published on
Switzerland considers Germany's planned systematic pushbacks at the border to be contrary to existing law, the department of justice has said.
Switzerland to hold referendum on introducing electronic ID
This content was published on
The Swiss are set to vote on the introduction of e-ID after the Federal Chancellery confirmed enough valid signatures were submitted by opponents of the federal law on electronic identity.
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
Rise in new corona cases sparks concern in Switzerland
This content was published on
Swiss officials have expressed concern over the slow increase in coronavirus infections in Switzerland over the past few weeks.
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.