Swiss army strife: Country confines ALL of its soldiers to their military bases after one tested positive for coronavirus
- Swiss soldier completing training at a base tested positive on Monday, army said
- He has been quarantined, along with those who had direct contact with him
- All other soldiers have been barred from leaving their bases ‘to allow them to respond quickly’ in the event fresh cases are reported
- Switzerland has 35 cases of coronavirus, with most linked to northern Italy
The Swiss Army has confined all soldiers to their bases after a case of coronavirus was discovered in the ranks.
A man tested positive for COVID-19 Monday as he was preparing to carry out a required military refresher course, the Swiss armed forces said in a statement.
In Switzerland the army is organised as a militia, with conscripts carrying out a short initial training and then called back in for several weeks of training each year.
The Swiss army has confined all of its soldiers to their bases after one person tested positive for coronavirus while taking part in a training course (file image)
During the health screening required before the course, the infected man revealed that he had recently returned from Milan in northern Italy, the statement said.
Italy is the European country hardest hit by the outbreak, with more than 2,000 cases confirmed and 52 deaths.
Switzerland has confirmed 35 cases of the disease, which have largely spread across the border from Italy.
Announcing the lockdown, the Swiss military said the coronavirus patient ‘is in stable condition’ in hospital.
Switzerland has confirmed 35 cases of coronavirus, largely in patients who had travelled to the country from northern Italy – which is at the centre of the European outbreak
Coronavirus has now infected more than 90,000 worldwide and killed 3,000, having spread to every continent except Antarctica
The three people in his room were immediately quarantined, as were other conscripts who had come in contact with him.
The army said it had also decided to limit the movement of on-duty troops to ensure they will be ready to respond quickly if needed.
Soldiers can still leave their barracks but have been asked not to leave the military installations unless absolutely necessary, army spokesman Daniel Reist told AFP.
In a bid to rein in the spread, Switzerland last Friday suspended all events with more than 1,000 participants until March 15, forcing the cancellation of several large events including the Geneva International Motor Show.
The UN’s European Geneva headquarters has also closed its doors to visitors and has curbed some activities linked to the Human Rights Council.