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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.

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