Sweden sees a declining trend in new cases of infection, but the decline is described as very small.
The latest corona numbers from Sweden show a total of 988,554 cases of infection, 7016 intensive care units and 14,091 corona deaths so far in the pandemic.
– Even though we are now seeing a reduction in Europe, there is still a high infection pressure in many countries. Sweden has a very red color which means that we have a high spread of infection also relative to the rest of Europe, said unit manager Sara Byfors at The Swedish Public Health Agency’s press conference on Tuesday and showed the map of Europe from the ECDC where Sweden is among the countries that stand out negatively.
– It is difficult to compare countries, because the numbers depend, among other things, on how you test, but Sweden has a relatively high spread of infection compared to other countries in Europe, Byfors said.
– Disturbing
She pointed to figures that show a reduction in the number of new cases of infection between weeks 16 and 17, but added that this reduction is very small, about only 3 percent down.
– It is a still declining trend, but it is a little disturbing that it seems to stop, Byfors said.
The number of incidents in Sweden is now 691 new cases per 100,000 inhabitants in the last 14 days. On April 29, the number was 747, but the pressure is still among Europe’s highest.
– Say no to parties
– There are differences between the regions, and it is important to get acquainted with the restrictions that apply where you live, Byfors began.
She reminded that the individual can influence the spread of infection by keeping a distance, only bypassing people in your immediate circle, working from home if possible and refraining from social gatherings in leisure time, such as parties.
– You must dare to say no, urged Byfors.
The National Board of Health and Welfare describes the pressure in the health and care sector as very serious.
Virus researcher: – Should see effect in July
Virus researcher Ali Mirazimi at the Karolinska Institute says Sweden is approaching the magic line where the results of the vaccination are really starting to show.
– Once in July we should see an effect, he says Evening paperst Tuesday.
So far, 30 percent of the country’s residents over the age of 18 have received at least one dose of coronary vaccine. According to Mirazimi, one can expect to see a sharp decline in the spread of infection when this proportion reaches 60 percent. Mirazimi compares, among other things, with Israel, where the same effect was seen when around 50 per cent had received the first vaccine dose.
Thank you all
At the press conference on Tuesday, the Public Health Authority was asked when it is expected to reach this limit.
– We do not have any figures for this, but we come up with scenarios. It is important that everyone who is offered the vaccine takes it, said unit manager Sara Byfors.
Here she also came with a strong encouragement that the Swedes not only say yes to one, but take both vaccine doses when it is their turn.
Byfors participated in the press conference on Tuesday together with Mattias Fredricson from the National Board of Health and Welfare and Morgan Olfosson from the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency.
Younger ones move up in the queue
The pace of vaccination is slow in parts of Sweden because people do not show up. This means that new age groups are offered vaccines, reports Swedish daily newspaper Tuesday.
When the drive-through vaccination at the former Saab factory in Trollhättan was put on pause two weekends ago, it was because attendance was too poor. Thus, Västra Götaland decided to offer coronary vaccine to the age group 55 to 59 years.
In Stockholm, risk groups from the age of 18 dropped out of the vaccine queue because there were many available vaccine hours.
– Must maintain the pace
– Our focus is to vaccinate as quickly and smoothly as possible. To do that, you sometimes have to move on in age groups to maintain the pace, vaccine coordinator Kristine Rygge explains to Swedish daily newspaper.
According to the newspaper, the vaccination rate for those over 65 is 80.4 per cent in Stockholm, 75 per cent in Västra Götaland and 94 per cent in Kalmar. As of 30 April, Sweden had distributed a total of 3,266,894 doses of coronary vaccine. 2.5 million Swedes have received at least one dose and more than 755,000 have received two doses, figures show The Swedish Public Health Agency.
On Thursday, the Public Health Authority was commissioned by the government to begin and plan for a gradual reopening of Sweden, but State epidemiologist Anders Tegnell emphasized that Sweden is still in a serious situation with high infection pressure.
Also read: Sweden: The infection spreads differently than in the previous waves
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