[ad_1]
On June 13, it was free to travel within Sweden if you had no symptoms. The government then lifted the May “two-hour rule” – the council should drive no more than two hours from their hometown, reducing pressure on healthcare in different regions.
Now corona infection is on the rise again in some parts of the country, especially Stockholm, Uppsala, and Örebro.
– In Sweden, we have seen an increase in recent weeks, which, however, is decreasing. But it is definitely an increase that we must take very seriously, says Anders Tegnell, a state epidemiologist with the Swedish Public Health Agency.
Between Wednesday and Thursday 1,075 new cases and three deaths were reported. Thus, it has been confirmed that 102,407 people are infected in Sweden and 5,910 have died.
The number of patients requiring intensive care has risen from 16 last month to 30 today, according to the National Board of Health and Welfare. Approximately 170 corona patients are cared for in hospitals outside of intensive care. According to the head of department of the National Board of Health and Welfare, Thomas Lindén, most regions of the country can expect a deterioration in the short and long term.
– We have very low numbers, but it is a sign of concern that things are starting to go in the wrong direction at the moment. There are definite risks if we fail to keep infection low in society. Now it is really very important that we work hard so that this does not continue, says Anders Tegnell.
At the same time, the weekly sampling has increased from 40,000 this spring to 140,000 now. According to Tegnell, Sweden is not in a second wave at the moment.
– I don’t know how important it is to say that we are in a second wave or not, but we have to deal with the spread of the infection as seen all the time. It’s about having effective countermeasures at all times.
Since Monday It may be relevant that the Swedish Public Health Agency introduces local restrictions together with the regions to prevent local corona outbreaks. According to Tegnell, no region needs to impose local restrictions on Monday. What it will look like in the future is unclear today.
Could it be relevant to introduce hourly rules that you had last spring that you shouldn’t go to other regions?
– Yes, exactly, there is a possibility. It completely depends on what you see as the driver of the spread of infection in the region where you need more action, says Anders Tegnell.
Could it be appropriate to reintroduce such a recommendation?
– If it can be.
On its website, the Swedish Public Health Agency writes what currently applies to domestic travel:
“It is important that you can take care of yourself if you get sick at your destination. If you become ill elsewhere, you should stay where you are until you are healthy or return home safely, without risking infecting others. Don’t use public transportation to get home if you are sick.
Read more:
Anders Tegnell: No other wave in Sweden
Uppsala: after work and pub rounds “probably not okay”
Skåne Regional Council: reintroduce the two hour rule if it escalates
