Music hits 10:00am - Noon

Listen Live

Search

Flu cases grip the country

Monday, 5 January 2026 06:30

Flu cases remain high.

Flu season arrived earlier than usual this year, starting in early December, and it has been especially intense. 

With many doctors’ offices closed over the holidays, more patients turned to emergency rooms, and hospitalizations are rising.

At the University Hospital of Basel, flu cases surged just after Christmas, with nearly four times as many patients hospitalized compared with the same period last year. 

Nationwide, flu-related doctor visits more than doubled before Christmas. 

Nearly 3,000 lab-confirmed cases were recorded in the final week of the year, up more than 20 percent from the week before. 

Basel-City reported the highest infection rate, while several central and eastern cantons saw far lower numbers.

Share

More from Bitesize News

  • Twint scam warning

    Switzerland has launched a national campaign to help the public spot online scams that exploit the Twint payment app

  • Water ban in parts of Valais

    Val de Bagnes has banned residents from using the irrigation network to water gardens and lawns, as Valais water reserves fall to critical levels

  • New insurance premium initiative

    Switzerland's Socialist Party is expected to launch signature collection today for an initiative linking health insurance premiums to household income

  • Rail link critical

    The Lausanne-Geneva rail line must be Switzerland's "absolute priority", according to the country's public transport association

  • Income not enough for many households

    Nearly 360,000 Swiss workers already earn too little to support their households, and the imminent health premium announcement threatens to push more families under

  • Speed limit decrease in parts of Lausanne

    Several new streets in central Lausanne will drop to 30 kilometres per hour from 12 October, day and night, according to a letter the city has sent to affected residents

Follow WRS

Download our app

  • Available on the App Store
  • Available on Google Play