Switzerland reports over 12,000 COVID-19 cases, death toll nears 200

Switzerland reported 1,390 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday, raising the total number in the country to 12,161, according to the figures released by the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH).

Meanwhile, the death toll in the country reached 197, the FOPH said, adding that to date, 97,012 tests have been carried out, 12 percent of which were positive.

Also on Friday, Switzerland started to send soldiers to its borders to support the Federal Customs Administration as it extended its border control to all countries. The Swiss government has announced that it was mobilizing up to 8,000 members of the military to help fight COVID-19.

Switzerland has issued a recommendation to all citizens to stay at home, especially the sick and the elderly. It has also announced a countrywide ban on gatherings of more than five people and a set of measures to help support the economy.

(CGTN)