Corona virus

All people have many questions about the corona virus.
Certainly you too!
You can get sick. You can protect yourself.
How can you protect yourself?
Here will you find information.

Information on the coronavirus

The coronavirus still exists.
But if you become infected with it,
it is not as bad as before.

There are no more rules to follow.
The most important changes are:

• You no longer have to wear a mask.
  
• You no longer need to have a COVID certificate.
  

What is the coronavirus?

The coronavirus spreads a disease.
The disease is called Covid-19.

This disease makes some people very sick.
Some people are dying from the disease.

The coronavirus is highly contagious.
It's important to stop the coronavirus from spreading.

How can you get infected with the coronavirus?

How you can get infected:

• Via close contact with a sick person
• Via small droplets in the air:
  When a person breathes, speaks, sneezes or coughs,
  they release small droplets in the air.
  The small droplets come from the person's mouth or nose.
  You usually cannot see the small droplets.
  But the small droplets can spread the coronavirus.
  If you breathe in these droplets,
  you could become sick.
• Via surfaces:
  The coronavirus can be found on surfaces.
  For example, on a door handle or a handrail on a train.
• Via hands:
  If you shake hands with a sick person,
  you could become infected.
  

When does a person with coronavirus become infectious?

A person becomes infectious:

• 2 days before the first symptoms
• Up to 10 days after the first symptoms
  

What are the symptoms of the disease?

Symptoms are signs of a disease.
Some symptoms are common.
Others are rare.
The symptoms can be very strong.
Sometimes they are only mild.

These are common symptoms:

• Sore throat
• Cough
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pains
• High temperature
• Loss of sense of smell or taste.
  This means: You cannot smell or taste anything.
• Headache
• General weakness, feeling unwell
• Aching muscles
• Blocked nose
• Diarrhoea, vomiting or stomach ache
• Skin rash
  

How does the disease progress?

The disease does not progress the same way in everybody.
And it is not always bad.
Some people are only slightly ill.
But some become seriously ill and have to go into hospital.

Which people are especially at risk?

The coronavirus can be dangerous for some people.
These people are especially at risk:

• Older people
• Adults with Trisomy 21
  
• Adults with some diseases.
  Ask your doctor,
  if you are especially at risk.
  

Why do we have a coronavirus vaccine?

The vaccine protects people from being infected with the coronavirus.

Most people with coronavirus only have mild symptoms.
But there are some people who become seriously ill,
particularly people who are especially at risk.

These people may have to go into hospital.
Or die.

That is why we have a coronavirus vaccine.
To make sure that as few people as possible become seriously ill.
And fewer people die.

Where can you register to receive the vaccine?

You can register for the vaccine in your canton.
You can find information about how to do this on your canton's website.

Who can receive the vaccine?

Every person aged 5 years and above can be vaccinated.
You can find information about this on the website of your canton.

What is the coronavirus test?

A coronavirus test can help you find out whether you have the coronavirus. Or not.

There are different types of coronavirus test.
New coronavirus tests are being introduced constantly.

Most of the tests are carried out using a swab.
This means: A healthcare specialist takes a small sample of mucous or saliva from your nose or throat.

The coronavirus can be seen in your mucous or saliva.
A laboratory expert will examine this sample
and will see whether you have the coronavirus or not.

What is new with the coronavirus tests?

As of January 1, 2023:

People must pay for the coronavirus test themselves.

The health insurance company will pay
for the coronavirus test only in special cases.
A doctor can decide when a coronavirus test is necessary.

When should you take a coronavirus test?

Do you have one or several symptoms?

Call your doctor.
The doctor will discuss with you,
if a coronavirus test is necessary.

You can then also ask where you can have a coronavirus test.

What happens after a coronavirus test?

Discuss with your doctor,
what happens next.

You will get all the information there.