The number of new reported coronavirus cases is once again rising in Switzerland due to a rapid spread of the Delta variant.

The growth in infection numbers due to the variant is predominantly affecting unvaccinated people, particularly between 10 and 29 years of age.

According to Samia Hurst, vice-president of the National Covid-19 Science Task Force: “We could see another wave in Switzerland, bigger than last autumn.” However, hospitalisations remain at comparatively low levels. 

The vaccination rollout continues across Switzerland, but has decelerated recently. To date, around 47.5% of the population have received both doses of the vaccine.

At the time of writing, there are 723,968 Covid cases in Switzerland, and there have been 10,909 fatalities.

Moreover, the Swiss government has allocated over CHF65 billion to support the economy, as the majority of economic activity came to a halt last year. In addition, CHF40 billion was set aside for emergency loans to help struggling businesses. The Swiss government has also proposed plans to provide further loans totalling as much as CHF154 million for start-ups.

Businesses impacted by the Covid crisis can defer social insurance contributions payments temporarily without interest. These measures also apply to the self-employed.

The government has also offered financial assistance to companies facing bankruptcy. Businesses are permitted to delay declaring their situation to the courts, and smaller firms are granted a minimum three-month grace period to pay their debts.

Furthermore, around CHF1.6 billion in hardship loans had been paid to nearly 20,000 businesses by the beginning of April according to the economics ministry. Partial unemployment claims have risen steeply as a direct result of the Covid crisis, and are forecast to increase further.