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.”
Lack of smartphone sustainability in Switzerland hits environment
This content was published on
Almost half of all Swiss citizens hang on to their old smartphones, tablets and laptops, according to the Federal Statistical Office.
Police clear out pro-Palestinian students protesting in Geneva
This content was published on
The police intervened early on Tuesday to dislodge pro-Palestinian students who had been occupying the University of Geneva for almost a week.
New gel developed in Zurich renders alcohol harmless
This content was published on
A newly developed gel composed of whey proteins breaks down alcohol in the body and could reduce its harmful and intoxicating effects in humans.
Pro-Palestine protests extend to Basel and Fribourg universities
This content was published on
Demonstrators called for an academic boycott of all Israeli institutions and disassociation with Chaim Weizmann, the first Israeli president.
This content was published on
In many cases, China's use of AI undermines the national security of the US and its allies, according to a US government representative.
Swiss Hells Angels trial alleges rape and money laundering
This content was published on
An allegedly high-ranking member of the Hells Angels is accused of money laundering totalling millions and rape, among other serious crimes.
SWISS is airline ‘group flagship’ says Lufthansa boss
This content was published on
Despite challenges, Lufthansa and its most important subsidiary, Swiss International Airlines, promise increased satisfaction and continued growth.
Swiss rediscover communist zeal after 84-year hiatus
This content was published on
Over 300 participants founded the Revolutionary Communist Party (RKP) at its congress in Burgdorf in canton Bern at the weekend.
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.