Neuchâtel
The next phase is about to be launched
The team in Neuchâtel is preparing for phase 4 of the Corona Immunitas survey which will take place between mid-June and August 2021. 2,200 randomly selected people will be invited to fill in a questionnaire and have their blood drawn. The participation rate for the previous phases was 25%; we estimate that about 600 people will participate in this phase 4. The team is also working on finalizing the reports presenting the results of Phases 2 and 3 and those of the Quid Covid survey conducted in the fall of 2020.
Basel
Phase 4 started
The COVCO-Basel study published preliminary results for the first time at the end of April on the impact of the pandemic and containment measures on the well-being and lifestyle of the population in the Basel region. In the cantons of Basel-Stadt and Basel-Landschaft, antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 were detected in about 21% of the adult population by mid-March. Compared to last fall, seroprevalence has thus increased significantly (6% as of October 2020). At the end of May, the COVCO Basel team has now started blood collection for phase 4. A total of 600 study participants and some of their family members will be tested for antibodies by the end of July.
Further information: www.covcobasel.ch
Publication on the preliminary results: https://www.swisstph.ch/de/swiss-tph-news/news-detail-d/news/seroprevalence-has-increased-to-21-in-the-basel-region/
Zurich
Encouragingly motivated participants
In Zurich, all invitations for Phase 4 were sent out. Finally, on June 1, the blood collection started, which is expected to last six weeks and include 600 new participants. It is gratifying to see how motivated the participants continue to be.
The third test phase of the Ciao Corona school study was completed. The results were communicated to the public at the end of May at a press conference held together with the Education Department of the Canton of Zurich.
Geneva
Goal: 2,800 participants
In Geneva, the fourth phase 4 has begun: sampling started at the beginning of June and will last until the beginning of July 2021. During this phase, up to approximately 8,000 invitations will be sent out with the objective of having 2,800 participants.
Eastern Switzerland
Recruitment is going well
The recruitment of new study participants for phase 4 in the cantons of St. Gallen and Grisons is ongoing. A high level of interest in participation is emerging. The first blood collections at the study sites have started at the beginning of June. The evaluation of the data from study phase 3 (fall 2020-spring 2021) showed that in the canton of St. Gallen, just under 12% of adults and about 20% of children and adolescents have specific antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. In the canton of Graubünden, 15% of adult study participants from the population had already been in contact with the virus, and 17% of children and adolescents.
Ticino
Phase 4
Phase 4 of the project, dedicated to all Corona Immunitas Ticino participants, is now in full swing. This phase provides for the monitoring through monthly and weekly questionnaires of the progress of the epidemic in our canton, taking into account the progress of the vaccination campaign. In addition, a randomly selected sample is offered the possibility to perform a serological test.
New phase of serological testing
300 participants under 20 years of age, 300 adults between 20 and 64 and 300 participants over 65 years of age are offered the possibility to be tested until the beginning of July in one of the various locations available on the territory. Samples will be taken at various locations of the Medical Center and the EOC, at the new USI/SUPSI east campus in Lugano-Viganello and at the Academy of Architecture in Mendrisio, with special arrangements for the youngest participants in the locations dedicated to them.
The serological test
The serological test used in this phase is now able to distinguish the antibodies developed following the infection from those developed after the vaccine in people already included in the vaccination campaign. This will allow us to monitor changes from the winter of 2020/2021 (Phase 3) in the populations tested.
Winterthur
More than half tested
As of June 3, 2021, 234 young adults have already participated in the 2nd testing, meaning more than half of the planned 420 participants have already made their appointment. Data collection is scheduled to be completed by the end of June.
Bern
Here we go again!
At the end of April, the team in Bern began sending out the invitation letters for the next phase of the study, Phase 4. We started the first visit and blood collection at Inselspital on June 1 and hope to recruit 600 participants by the end of the summer. To reach this goal, we will also be traveling with the Corona Immunitas bus to include patients throughout the canton.
Vaud
Next blood tests postponed
The new phase of the SeroViD study scheduled for early June has finally been postponed to fall 2021. This is due to strategic reasons, including the ongoing COVID-19 vaccination. The research team is currently focusing on the analysis of the data obtained so far. The monthly questionnaires are still in use.
Fribourg
4,000 invitation letters sent
Corona Immunitas Fribourg has entered its next phase. 4,000 invitation letters have been sent out to find new participants and the first responses are coming back. So far, we have published two reports detailing the findings from our study. You can find them here and here. We are excited to see what the next phase will bring.
Lucerne
Half-time reached
In the fourth phase of the national Corona Immunitas study, approximately 300 adults per age group (20 to 64 years and 65+ years) will be tested for antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 virus in Lucerne between May and July 2021. This is a total of 200 more people than in the last phase. The fourth phase has reached the halfway point in Lucerne. Further dates will take place in mid-June to early July. For more information and contact details, participants can visit the LUKS website.
