Some Swiss hospitals have begun delaying non-urgent operations due to pressure from the rise in coronavirus infections and hospitalisations, the Neue Zürcher Zeitung has reported.
This content was published on
2 minutes
Keystone-SDA/SRF/RTS/Swiss media/ilj
The University Hospital Zurich told the newspaperExternal link that it had already started postponing certain operations where patients are not in immediate danger.
The cantonal hospital in Aarau is also postponing certain operations, according to the NZZ report published on Saturday. At Bern University Hospital, an increase in the number of Covid patients is likely, the hospital said. In this case, operations would also be restricted.
In mid-July, there were 20 the Covid-19 patients in intensive care units in Switzerland, this has now risen to 230, according to the NZZ. Latest figures showExternal link that Covid patients now make up around 30% of intensive care patients.
Tranfers, concerns
On Saturday, the Spital Thurgau AG group of hospitals announced that all its intensive care beds were full, half of them with Covid patients. It is transferring patients to hospitals in other cantons, it said.
The Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) has also started to transfer some of its Covid-19 patients to other cantons, due to the rise in the number of these patients. The goal is to “keep room for manoeuvre” at the level of the intensive care beds for the other operations, Rebecca Ruiz, the canton of Vaud’s minister for health, told the Le Temps newspaperExternal link on Saturday.
Increasing the number of beds available in emergency units means “drawing on the teams working in the operating room” to take care of patients affected by Covid-19, she added. This is a decision “fraught with consequences” and could mean postponing planned operations, even though the canton had not caught up with the backlog from previous coronavirus waves, Ruiz explained.
Meanwhile at the University Hospitals of Geneva (HUG), “the situation in intensive care is worrying”, the canton of Geneva’s health director, Adrien Bron, was quoted as saying in La Tribune de Genève. “Postponements of operations will have to be considered again.”
Hundreds of Saint Bernard dogs gather in Switzerland for world competition
This content was published on
Over a hundred Saint Bernards have descended on Martigny, in canton Valais to kick off the World Union of Saint Bernard Clubs competition.
Giacometti lamp tops million-franc mark in Geneva auction
This content was published on
A “Tête de femme” floor lamp by Swiss artist Alberto Giacometti topped the million-franc mark at a Piguet auction in Geneva.
UN rights expert criticises Swiss pressure in trade negotiations
This content was published on
The UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food has accused EFTA countries of pressuring Thailand and Malaysia in trade deals.
Switzerland gives CHF60 million to Ukraine for digitalisation
This content was published on
The Swiss government has agreed to give war-ravaged Ukraine CHF58.7 million ($65.5 million) towards the digitalisation of its public administration.
Three people arrested in Switzerland in international drug gang crackdown
This content was published on
International co-operation led to 17 people being arrested in six European countries and large quantities of drugs also being seized.
Federal Council banks on R&D to strengthen Swiss solar industry
This content was published on
The Swiss government opposes the deployment of special industrial policy or measures to help boost the domestic photovoltaic industry.
Swiss president envisions follow-ups to peace summit
This content was published on
Swiss President Viola Amherd hopes the first Ukraine peace conference will build trust and seek solutions for safety and security issues.
This content was published on
With use of drugs such as crack on the rise, the government wants to invest in additional facilities for people suffering from addiction.
Alleged French spy tied to Swiss NGO arrested in Russia
This content was published on
The man, who Russia has claimed was trying to obtain information about the Russian military, was confirmed to be a French citizen working for a Geneva-based NGO.
Swiss health experts expect rise in Covid infections
This content was published on
Senior health officials have warned of an increase in Covid-19 cases amid rising hospital admissions notably of patients without vaccinations.
Plans presented to boost use of Covid certificate in Switzerland
This content was published on
The government has proposed measures to extend the use of Covid-19 certificates to avoid a potential overburdening of Swiss hospitals.
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.