The COVCO-Basel study is being conducted by the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute and examines the distribution of antibodies against the new corona virus in the population of the two cantons Basel-Stadt and Basel-Landschaft. The findings help to answer questions about the development of immunity during the pandemic.
The study also aims to show the short and long-term effects of the "new normality": how has the physical and mental health, lifestyle, work environment and family situation of the regional population changed as a result of the corona crisis? How many people have become lonely, sad and anxious? Who moves less or does more sport than before the epidemic? How many people have developed an addiction problem in isolation? How many people have financial worries since Corona?
10 000 people are randomly selected for the study by the Federal Statistical Office. Over a period of several months, they regularly answer questions about their state of health and their living conditions. Some participants and sometimes their family members are tested for antibodies by means of blood and saliva sampling.
The scientific findings provide an important data basis for political decisions in order to find a balance between containing the infections on the one hand and maintaining quality of life on the other. The study is co-financed by the two cantons.
More information is available here.
