COVID-19 Switzerland
Information on the current situation, as of 22 October 2021
Epidemiological course,Switzerland and Liechtenstein
Relevant virus variants
This data is based on reports from laboratories that sequence the virus material or specifically examine it for mutations. The test results are recorded via our reporting system as well as via a national SARS-CoV-2 monitoring programme.
Virus variants overview
Relevant virus variants, Switzerland and Liechtenstein, 28.09.2020 to 22.10.2021
The WHO has classified individual virus variants as variants of concern (VOC) and variants of interest (VOI). In Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein, the classification of virus variants may differ from those of the WHO, as the relevance of the respective variants depends on their current regional occurrence.
The variant B.1.1.7– Alpha (first detected in the UK in September 2020) has been the most common variant in Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein since mid-February 2021. Since May 2021, it has therefore no longer been classified as a VOC in these areas.
Laboratories report the results of the so-called case-specific variant analysis to us via the reporting system. These include the targeted examination of individual mutations or the partial or complete sequencing of the genome. The systematic monitoring of circulating virus variants, on the other hand, involves the targeted, complete sequencing of the genome from a representative sample. The data can be used to estimate the proportion of individual virus variants. Previously unknown variants can also be identified.
Reporting system: Results of the case-specific variant analysis are transmitted to us via the reporting system. Case-specific analyses include either the targeted examination of individual mutations or a partial or complete sequencing of the genome. The data is primarily collected within the context of a targeted clarification (for example outbreak investigations, cases despite full vaccination and re-infections). The collected samples are therefore not representative.
Monitoring: Results from monitoring are based on the complete genome sequencing of SARS-CoV-2. As part of the monitoring, the laboratory sequences random samples from positive SARS-CoV-2 samples. This allows for a representative and comprehensive overview of the currently circulating virus variants to be obtained. On the basis of the data, we can estimate the proportion of individual virus variants. We are also able to recognise previously unknown variants.
| Variants | ||
|---|---|---|
| B.1.351 – Beta From mid-February to the end of June 2021 this family of variants was the most common in Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein. Since May 2021 it has no longer been classified as a variant of concern (VOC) in these areas. Internationally it is still viewed as a VOC because there is an elevated risk of infection. First detected in the United Kingdom in September 2020. | Reporting system 250 | Monitoring 269 |
| P.1 – Gamma This virus variant is considered to be of concern (VOC) due to the risk of re-infection and the suspected reduced efficacy of a COVID-19 vaccine. Detected for the first time in Brazil and Japan at the end of 2020. | Reporting system 28 | Monitoring 222 |
| B.1.617.2, all subvariants AY – Delta The name Delta refers to the family of variants B.1.617.2 and all subvariants AY. Since the end of June 2021 this family of variants has been the most common in Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein. For this reason, since mid-August 2021 it has no longer been classified as a variant of concern (VOC) in these areas. Internationally this variant is still viewed as a VOC because there is a suspected elevated risk of renewed infection and a reduction in the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccination. First detected in India in October 2020. | Reporting system 3397 | Monitoring 22 110 |
| C.37 – Lambda This is a variant of interest because of a suspected elevated risk of renewed infection and a reduction in the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccination. So far it has rarely been detected in Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein. For this reason we do not classify this VOI as a variant of concern (VOC). First detected in Peru in December 2020. | Reporting system - | Monitoring 30 |
| B.1.617.1 – Kappa This virus variant is considered to be of interest (VOI) due to the risk of re-infection and the suspected reduced efficacy of a COVID-19 vaccine. It is not yet so common in Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein and is therefore not classified as a VOC. First detected in India in October 2020. | Reporting system 1 | Monitoring 9 |
| B.1.1.7 – Alpha This virus variant (first detected in the UK in September 2020) is considered to be of concern (VOC) internationally due to an increased risk of infection. This variant has been the dominant variant in Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein since mid-February 2021. Since May 2021, it has therefore no longer been classified as a VOC in these areas. | Reporting system 18 175 | Monitoring 19 604 |
| P.2 – Zeta This virus variant is considered to be of interest (VOI) due to the risk of re-infection and the suspected reduced efficacy of a COVID-19 vaccine. It is not yet so common in Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein and is therefore not classified as a VOC. First detected in Brazil in April 2020. | Reporting system 32 | Monitoring 23 |
| B.1.525 – Eta This virus variant is considered to be of interest (VOI) due to the risk of re-infection and the suspected reduced efficacy of a COVID-19 vaccine. It is not yet so common in Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein and is therefore not classified as a VOC. First detected in Nigeria and other countries in december 2020. | Reporting system 4 | Monitoring 48 |
| B.1.526 – Iota This virus variant is considered to be of interest (VOI) due to the risk of re-infection and the suspected reduced efficacy of a COVID-19 vaccine. It is not yet so common in Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein and is therefore not classified as a VOC. First detected in United States of America in November 2020. | Reporting system - | Monitoring 9 |
| B.1.1.7 & E484K This virus variant is considered to be of interest (VOI) due to an increased risk of infection as well as a suspected heightened risk of re-infection. It is not yet so common in Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein and is therefore not classified as a VOC. | Reporting system 0 | Monitoring - |
| B.1.1.318 This is a variant of interest because of a suspected reduction in the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccination. First detected in several countries in January 2021. | Reporting system - | Monitoring 198 |
Development over time
Relevant virus variants, Switzerland and Liechtenstein, 28.09.2020 to 22.10.2021
The graph shows the development of the estimated proportion of relevant virus variants in Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein over a selected period of time. The line represents the seven-day average (average of previous three days to subsequent three days). The bar chart contains the number of completely sequenced samples per day.
For the individually selected variants, the daily values are bounded with an upper and lower value, which represent a probability of 95%.