An estimated 2,500 military personnel received authorization from the Swiss government to be deployed to help support the national health care system which is being stretched by a second wave of coronavirus infections.

The authorization comes as the country's number of daily infections exceeded the 10,000 mark while more than 70 deaths were also reported.

"With the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of cases is rising sharply and with it - with a delay of one to two weeks - the number of hospitalisations and patients in intensive care units. Since Tuesday, 27 October 2020, several cantons have submitted requests for military support," the government said after a cabinet meeting.

This is the second time the military has been deployed to help hospitals in transporting and treating coronavirus patients. The mobilization earlier in the year was the Swiss Army's biggest call-up since World War II.

During that period, 8,000 members of the military were deployed, not only for medical service but to help close its borders, assist with logistics and provide security support during the crisis.

The government also approved the distribution of 350 million Swiss francs ($384 million) in grants and loans to professional and semi-professional sports clubs affected by the pandemic.

The government added it was prepared to consider more assistance now that big events were taking place without spectators in an attempt to slow the spread of the disease.

Switzerland has reported more than 180,000 confirmed cases and more than 2,400 deaths, according to the Johns Hopkins University.

(With input from agencies)