Swiss hospitals face collapse in 10 days

Government officials in Switzerland have Tuesday (March 17) issued a stark warning on the severity of the coronavirus in the country, saying its healthcare system could collapse by the end of the month days if new cases continue to spread at their current rate.

Swiss authorities estimated that 2,650 people had tested positive for the coronavirus and 19 people had died, while also predicting cases will likely soar in the weeks ahead.

Exact figures were now unavailable as the rapid rise had outstripped the state's ability to record new cases in real time.

Residents have been ordered this week to observe strict emergency social distancing measures, in an effort to protect hospitals.

Switzerland has a population of 8.6 million, but only has around 1,200 intensive care beds.

It's now mobilized 8,000 military personnel to assist the country's stretched medical personnel.

This week the World Health Organization called on all countries to ramp up testing to slow the pandemic's advance, while urging companies to boost production of vital equipment to overcome shortages.

Swiss officials still defended its policy to focus testing on people most at risk, rather than every person with mild symptoms.