Switzerland Expects Flu Peak in Mid-December as Covid-19 Cases Rise
- As the cold season begins in Switzerland, respiratory infections are rising across the country with COVID-19 cases climbing regionally, according to the Federal Office of Public Health (BAG).
- Epidemiological tracking shows that the seasonal wave of respiratory infections is unfolding as expected by public health officials.
- In contrast, activity for influenza and respiratory syncytial virus remains very low according to the Sentinella monitoring system.
As the cold season begins in Switzerland, respiratory infections are rising across the country with COVID-19 cases climbing regionally, according to the Federal Office of Public Health (BAG). While influenza and respiratory syncytial virus remain at very low levels, health authorities report that coronavirus activity is picking up earlier in the season than other major winter bugs. The large wave of coughing and sniffling has returned as autumn takes hold in Switzerland.
Coronavirus Cases Climb While Influenza and RSV Stay Low
Epidemiological tracking shows that the seasonal wave of respiratory infections is unfolding as expected by public health officials. In recent weeks, approximately 120 cases per week have been reported to the BAG from Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein. That figure marks an increase from the summer months when weekly infections typically hovered between 10 and 20 cases. However, the BAG notes that current coronavirus circulation is weaker compared to previous years, noting that more than 500 cases had already been registered in the first week of October last year. The BAG stated that COVID-19 has typically reached its seasonal peak in the autumn in previous years, whereas influenza and RSV seasons follow in the winter.
In contrast, activity for influenza and respiratory syncytial virus remains very low according to the Sentinella monitoring system. Alongside COVID-19, classic common cold viruses such rhinoviruses are currently circulating, though the BAG does not track rhinovirus numbers through its official reporting system.
BAG Expects Main Influenza Wave in Mid-December
In response to inquiries from the Keystone-SDA news agency, the BAG stated that it does not expect the actual influenza wave in Switzerland to begin until mid-December at the earliest. Officials emphasize that predicting the exact severity of the upcoming winter wave for influenza, COVID-19, and RSV remains impossible. The scale of these upcoming waves depends on several variables, including population immunity levels, circulating viral variants, and weather conditions.
Delivery Delays Reported for Seasonal Influenza Vaccines
Individuals wishing to get vaccinated against influenza may need some patience in certain places because the vaccine is arriving later in some instances. The BAG further announced in response to Keystone-SDA inquiries that several vaccine manufacturers are currently reporting delays in delivering supplies to medical practices, hospitals, nursing homes, and pharmacies. BAG media spokesperson Simon Ming stressed that these issues represent a shipping delay rather than a shortage of vaccine supplies, assuring that ample time remains for at-risk groups and the general public to receive their vaccinations.