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Last week, the number of recently confirmed cases increased by 70 percent in Sweden, compared to the previous week.
– This is one of the biggest increases we have seen. Part of this is due to increased monitoring and testing for infections. But we definitely have a greater spread in parts of society that we need help controlling it from, said Public Health Agency state epidemiologist Anders Tegnell at Tuesday’s press conference.
From tuesday It applies to the strictest municipalities in the Skåne region, which in the last week has seen a sharp increase in the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases and hospital patients.
57 people are being treated at Skåne hospital for covid-19 on Tuesday. Of these, seven receive intensive care.
– Overall, we have a completely different situation than we had just a week ago and it is a serious situation, said Skåne Region infection control doctor Eva Melander on Tuesday.
In the region it is now called that the public refrain as much as possible from physical contact with people outside their home, avoid public transport and public transport and refrain from staying in indoor environments such as shops and shopping centers. In addition, Skåne residents should refrain from social events such as drinks, parties and meetings.
– It is a drastic general increase and a sharp increase in attention, so we want to strike immediately, said Eva Melander.
The notice is valid for three weeks, until November 17.
The county board of directors has also decided that the public ceiling, which was raised to 300 by the government last week, will remain at 50 people in Skåne. Unlike the other local measures, this is a rule, not a recommendation, and the decision applies until the end of November.
Last week it was introduced Similar, if somewhat less strict, local councils in Uppsala. The Swedish Public Health Agency for further discussions on local measures with various regions.
– We have a dialogue with several different regions in a slightly different phase. But first we need to get that dialogue right before we tell more about it, Anders Tegnell said.
Those regions include Västra Götaland and Stockholm. In both, there has been an increase over a longer period of time, which has been more pronounced in the last week.
He is optimistic to believe that the local restrictions that have now been introduced will lead to a drastic reduction in cases, says Anders Tegnell.
– Little by little we will learn what to expect. But what we hope above all is that the spread of the infection will decrease in certain settings, which in a slightly longer term means less pressure on healthcare. It is important to reverse the trend so that the rapid rise slows down. Then I think you can go back to the basic general guidelines and that they will work again, he says.
Not yet opportunity to reintroduce some of the recently withdrawn national measures, such as a ban on visiting nursing homes or a reduction in the number of spectators.
– We continually try to adapt all efforts to the current situation. But we tried first and foremost to adapt them locally because it looks different in different parts of the country, Anders Tegnell said.
On the other hand, the Swedish Public Health Agency is discussing advice not to travel around the country, according to the state epidemiologist.
– It is a discussion that we are having, so far the differences are not so great but many regions have an increase. We also think this is the general advice for trying to keep physical contact low. Actually, this is pretty clear advice against travel because traveling almost always means new contacts.
Even outside the borders of the country the increase continues, in many places stronger than in Sweden. Europe and the world at large had the highest number of confirmed cases so far last week.
– It’s a tough fall and it will be even tougher before this is over, Anders Tegnell said Tuesday.
Read more: Tegnell: Increased spread of infection is not a second wave
