COVID-19 epidemic in Switzerland: on the importance of testing, contact tracing and isolation

TLDR

Switzerland has one of the highest COVID‑19 case rates per capita, yet many infections remain undetected, and testing alone cannot curb transmission without rapid diagnosis, isolation, and contact‑tracing measures recommended by WHO. The article argues that Switzerland’s testing strategy must be urgently strengthened as a core component of a combined approach to control COVID‑19.

Abstract

Switzerland is among the countries with the highest number of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) cases per capita in the world. There are likely many people with undetected SARS-CoV-2 infection because testing efforts are currently not detecting all infected people, including some with clinical disease compatible with COVID-19. Testing on its own will not stop the spread of SARS-CoV-2. Testing is part of a strategy. The World Health Organization recommends a combination of measures: rapid diagnosis and immediate isolation of cases, rigorous tracking and precautionary self-isolation of close contacts. In this article, we explain why the testing strategy in Switzerland should be strengthened urgently, as a core component of a combination approach to control COVID-19.