New coronavirus: Current situation

Latest information from the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH/BAG)

Information on the number of confirmed cases of coronavirus and those who have died as a result of the infection, as well as the report on the epidemiological situation in Switzerland, can be found here.

Current situation in Switzerland

Confirmed in Switzerland

As of 18.3.2020, 3.00 p.m.:

Number of cases
Tested positive: about 3,028
Confirmed: 2,772

Number who have died: 21

The top priority for the Swiss Federal Council is the health of the public

The aim should be to make sure that people are better protected from the novel coronavirus, especially those who are at a higher risk of becoming severely ill. We can all help by following the recommendations (both the new ones and those issued previously):

• Keep your distance – for example: Protect elderly people by keeping adequate distance from them; Keep your distance when queuing or waiting in line; Keep your distance at meetings.
• Wash your hands thoroughly.
• Avoid shaking hands.
• Cough and sneeze into a tissue or the crook of your arm.
• If you have a fever and are coughing, stay at home.
• Only go to the doctor or A&E after you have notified them by phone.
   

You will find detailed information on the “Protect yourself and others” site or at www.foph-coronavirus.

Current situation – International

As of 18 March 2020, 6.30am:

Cases of new coronavirus infections have been confirmed in more than 140 countries or regions.

More than 31,500 cases of new coronavirus have been confirmed in Italy. Of those, 2,503 people are known to have died. For Italy, as for all other areas concerned, travellers should inform themselves about the local situation.

Globally, more than 198,000 people have been confirmed to have been infected with the new coronavirus.

7,899 people are known to have died, 4,751 outside of mainland China.

A total of more than 82,500 people have recovered again.

In the majority of cases the illness is mild. However, people aged over 65 and those with an existing pre-illness could become seriously ill.

Affected areas: why is reference no longer being made to ‘affected areas’?

There is now a risk of becoming infected with new coronavirus in almost all parts of the world. As of  March 9, we will therefore no longer be referring to ‘affected areas’.