New figures show dark developments

Last week, week 46, Sweden had 304 cases of infection per 100,000 inhabitants. Over a 14-day period, the corresponding figure was 550, according to a new report from the Swedish Public Health Agency.

In 20 of the 21 regions of Sweden, infection has increased compared to the previous three weeks; the only region that stands out is Östergötland, which may be explained by the fact that the region’s capacity for corona sampling was very limited in week 46.

Drastic increase: after three weeks

With the help of maps, the Swedish Public Health Agency has compiled how the infection developed in regions of Sweden from week 43 to week 46, and dark figures are reported.

The Örebro, Västerås, Uppsala, Stockholm, Jönköping, Kronoberg and Gotland regions have more than 350 cases of infection per 100,000 inhabitants during week 46; none of them had such high numbers three weeks earlier. At that time, the number of infections per 100,000 inhabitants was between 10 and 99 in much of the country.

The infection is higher among the young

Since the pandemic began, 89 percent of those who died from COVID-19 were over 70 years old, according to the latest figures from the Swedish Public Health Agency. Until week 46, the average age of the deceased was 82 years.

In the last three weeks, the average age of patients who have started intensive care has been 62 years.

On the other hand, the infection is highest in the ages 20 to 29, of the more than 208,000 people who have been confirmed infected in Sweden since March. Last week, the number of cases per 100,000 residents was also the highest in that age group.

At ages 20 to 29, the number of confirmed cases was more than 400 per 100,000 inhabitants, which is approximately four times more than at ages 70 to 79.

According to the figures for week 46, the proportion that tested positive was at most between the ages of 18-19 years. 23.6 percent of 18 to 19 year olds tested positive last week. They are followed by the 17 to 18 age group, where 21.2 percent tested positive.