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In several European countries, the spread of Covid-19 has increased notably in recent weeks. And even in Sweden you can see some increase, although not that big.
Thomas Wahlberg is infection control doctors in the Västra Götaland region. He relates the increased infection to the fact that people have gone back to school and back to work after the summer, and that “you meet more people.”
– We are tired of the pandemic, people take more risks and do not always think about keeping their distance, says Thomas Wahlberg.
Thomas Wahlberg, infection control physician in the Västra Götaland region.
Photograph: Björn Larsson Rosvall / TT
Västra Götaland is a large region and Wahlberg believes that the spread of the infection will be different within the region in the future.
– We already see local outbreaks today, but it is difficult to determine if it will increase or decrease. The biggest concern is if we don’t find out if there are a lot of different outbreaks for there to be a further spread of society again, we don’t want that. It is feared that the burden on healthcare will increase and spread to nursing homes.
It is supported by his colleague in the capital, Maria Rotzén Östlund, who is an infection control doctor in the Stockholm Region. He also expresses concern that the infection will take off once again in the country’s nursing homes. In Stockholm, the spread of infection has increased more steeply than in Västra Götaland in recent weeks, and a trend break may be seen after a summer with lower numbers.
– If a wide social diffusion arises, my greatest concern is that it would again gain ground in nursing homes. And if that happened, the consequences for each individual patient who would be affected would be very great and could lead to a greater number of people in the hospital, says Maria Rotzén Östlund, but emphasizes that she believes that both the care and the nursing homes of the country are better prepared this time.
Södersjukhuset in Stockholm.
Photo: Magnus Hallgren
In Östergötland has Among other things, the greatest spread of the infection dates back to student parties. Karin Festin, an assistant infection control physician in the region, praises the efforts of care personnel during the pandemic.
– The biggest concern I have is that the greater spread of the infection leads to a higher hospital burden. The staff has held the flag high throughout the spring and summer. We must avoid pressure on healthcare again, he says.
Infection control doctors like DN He spoke with emphasis on the importance of the public enduring and receiving help so that the situation does not turn into what it was earlier this year.
– We are now doing our best to report once again and emphasize the importance of maintaining our recommendations. The most important, and perhaps most boring, is the physical distance. It is incredibly important that we all help each other, so that we do not understand what happened this spring, says Maria Rotzén Östlund.
The Östra Hospital field hospital was established in April this year and closed after a few months.
Photo: Tomas Ohlsson
Thomas Wahlberg says great sacrifices have been made, especially among those over 70.
– But it is very important to keep your distance and try to break the chains of infection early, he says.
– The spread of the infection is there and it is important that we do not lower our guard too soon because then we will get an increase.
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