Covid research helped Swiss response, says Science Foundation
The National Science Foundation says it has funded important Covid-19 research in Switzerland which also helped the government to adapt its recommendations.
Keystone / Michael Buholzer
The National Science Foundation's CHF45 million ($45.8 million) support to Covid-19 research in Switzerland has made an important contribution to tackling the pandemic so far, it saidExternal link on Tuesday.
This content was published on
2 minutes
RTS/jc
Despite high pressure and sometimes difficult working conditions, researchers have presented impressive results, said epidemiologist Marcel Salathé of the Federal Technology Institute Lausanne (EPFL) who chairs the steering committee of the National Research Programme “Covid-19”. This programme includes 200 researchers involved in 28 projects with a total of CHF20 million.
In the early phase of the pandemic, epidemiological and monitoring projects provided important findings on the transmissibility of the virus, mobility patterns of the population during the partial lockdown, and degree of acceptance of restrictions, which allowed the Swiss government to adapt its recommendations, says the Science Foundation.
Another early milestone was the development of an inexpensive mass test by EPFL researchers which made it possible for the first time to detect Covid-19-specific antibodies in broad population groups, including in kindergartens.
It says EAWAGExternal link wastewater monitoring, which measures the concentration of Covid-19 viruses in water bodies, was a “resounding success” and has now been extended to over a hundred sites.
Important findings in the biomedical field include effects of the virus on children, on the mental and cognitive health of adults, and recognition of Long Covid as a health problem that is still not sufficiently understood, according to the press release.
Results from tests on Covid-19 patients of drugs originally developed for other diseases were more mixed. Although there were some “successful approaches”, some studies were also discontinued “as the strategies pursued proved ineffective”, says the science foundation.
Ongoing research includes the development of new vaccines and a nasal spray vaccine for Covid-19.
Popular Stories
More
Climate adaptation
Why Switzerland is among the ten fastest-warming countries in the world
This content was published on
By 8am on Saturday, an 11-kilometre queue had formed at the Gotthard tunnel’s northern entrance, with drivers facing nearly two hours of delays.
Plant-based meat market in Switzerland set to grow to CHF361 million by 2030
This content was published on
Switzerland’s market for plant-based meat alternatives has a potential value of around CHF 242 million this year, though it remains a niche market.
This content was published on
The army is looking for a modern solution for its decommissioned fortress mortar bunkers, with plans to turn them into hardened defence hubs.
This content was published on
Spain ended Switzerland’s run in the Women’s Euros on Friday, but fans in Bern made history with the largest supporters’ march in Women’s Euros history.
This content was published on
Solar energy pioneer Raphaël Domjan and his team continued preparations for the altitude record attempt at 10,000 metres with the SolarStratos solar aircraft.
This content was published on
Cattle in the canton of Geneva and in the neighbouring region of Terre Sainte in the canton of Vaud are being vaccinated against the contagious viral skin nodule disease. The first cases of the animal disease were reported at the end of June in France, just outside Geneva.
Fewer attacks on Swiss ATMs but their future remains uncertain
This content was published on
Bank ATMs in Switzerland are less prone to attacks by criminals, but their future remains uncertain given the less active use of cash by the population.
This content was published on
A series of rockfalls occurred above the village of Brienz between 9 and 12 July. According to the municipality of Albula, the overall situation remains tense. Several people disregarded the ban on entering the area around the village.
This content was published on
Arosa Bergbahnen achieved the highest figure in its 95-year history in the 2024/25 financial year with net revenue of CHF 37 million. Arosa Lenzerheide was able to capitalise on strengths such as snow reliability and the size of the ski area in a long winter season, the company announced on Thursday.
Swiss and German virologists raise hopes of nasal coronavirus vaccine
This content was published on
Swiss and German virologists working on a nasal vaccine for Covid-19 say such a technique could be much more effective against the virus.
Swiss researchers discover antibody signature that could predict Long Covid
This content was published on
Immunologists in Zurich found lower levels of two types of immunoglobulins in patients who developed post-acute Covid-19 syndrome.
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.