Swiss nursing home hit by British Covid-19 variant outbreak
Three-quarters of residents of a nursing home in southern Switzerland and half its workers have been infected with the coronavirus variant first found in Britain.
This content was published on
2 minutes
Reuters/ts
Italian-speaking canton Ticino said a series of infections occurred in rapid succession as well as a re-infection. This prompted health officials to conduct genetic sequencing, which confirmed the British variant was circulating.
“This sweep test had confirmed a rapid spread of the outbreak, with around half the staff and three-quarters of the guests positive, despite the protective measures put in place,” the cantonal government said in a statement.
The home for the elderly, in the municipality of Mendrisio, has meanwhile been closed for visits.
Single British tourist
Switzerland has reported 120 of cases of the highly infectious British variant, including in the mountain resort of Wengen. There, a single British tourist is thought to have brought the mutated virus into the region, resulting in the cancellation of World Cup ski races this weekend.
More
More
Coronavirus: the situation in Switzerland
This content was published on
An overview of the latest Covid-related information in the Alpine nation.
The Ticino government did not release the number of people linked to the nursing home outbreak or say whether there had been any fatalities or hospitalisations.
“It is good to remember that the British strain of the virus is not more serious, but more contagious,” the canton said. “It therefore requires more intense contact tracking to avoid its spread as much as possible.”
On Wednesday Switzerland announced stricter measures including store closures in a bid to reduce contacts amid fears that the British and other variants could rapidly spread and overwhelm hospital and healthcare infrastructure.
Almost 8,000 people have died from Covid-19 in Switzerland, which has a population of 8.6 million.
More
More
Switzerland to enter new lockdown amid more contagious virus strains
This content was published on
The government has announced the closure of non-essential shops and mandatory teleworking to reduce coronavirus infections.
First large-scale alpine solar plant approved in Switzerland
This content was published on
The approval was met with satisfaction by the project's organisers, but it also brings with it a certain amount of pressure.
Medieval squirrels may have ‘helped spread leprosy’
This content was published on
An examination of squirrel remains in the United Kingdom has opened up interesting questions and possibilities in terms of the history of the disease.
Swiss money laundering office registers record number of reports
This content was published on
The Money Laundering Reporting Office Switzerland (MROS) registered a record number of reports of suspicious activity last year.
Two teens accused of planning terror attack released from custody
This content was published on
The Schaffhausen judiciary has released the two teenagers from custody who allegedly planned bomb attacks in Switzerland.
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
Swiss to vote in referendum on government’s Covid restrictions
This content was published on
Swiss campaigners have triggered a referendum to strip the government of new legal powers to impose lockdowns and curtail public life.
‘Long Covid’ sufferers fight for help and recognition
This content was published on
Long Covid: In the UK there are special clinics for sufferers. But in Switzerland they are still fighting for help and recognition.
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.