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The spread of covid-19 differs greatly between municipalities in the country.
Tibro, the most affected, has had a spread of the infection ten times greater than Arjeplog. Gällivare is also on the top list.
– In May, in the restaurants of Gällivare, in the restaurants of Gällivare, in May, it was almost what it is called in Norrbotten, without order, says infection control doctor Anders Nystedt.
At Tibro in Västgötland, 4.3 percent of the population has had Covid-19 so far during the pandemic, compared to just 0.5 percent at Arjeplog in Norrbotten.
Niklas Arnberg, a virologist at Umeå University, says:
– I think that much of the difference in geographic distribution can be explained by random events, for which no particular municipality should be blamed.
Photo: MATTIAS PETTERSSON / UMEÅ UNIVERSITY
Niklas Arnberg, professor of virology at Umeå University.
At the same time, he sees some possible explanations for the fact that Arjeplog, with only 2,712 inhabitants in an area almost as large as Värmland, is so low.
– For example, it may have to do with the fact that you do not have equally extensive local traffic. People walk, bike, or drive to work. So it probably has to do with population density as well. They can keep their distance. It’s not that difficult there, it’s a natural thing, says Arnberg.
Thomas Wahlberg, an infection control doctor in the Västra Götaland region, does not see a clear explanation for why so many in Tibro have been infected with covid-19.
– The care of the elderly was quite affected this spring. Then Tibro also withdrew during the fall, but in recent weeks the spread of the infection has slowed.
– It is very difficult to say why a municipality has more cases than another municipality. If you have many cases in a nursing home, or an outbreak in a large workplace or school, then it can greatly affect the number of cases in a small municipality, Wahlberg says.
Photo: Thomas Johansson / TT
Thomas Wahlberg, infection control physician in the Västra Götaland region.
Large weddings spread covid-19 in Södertälje
In Södertälje, which ranks second, however, there is a clear explanation for the wide spread of the infection: large parties and weddings with 300-400 participants. On November 11, the president of the municipal board urged individuals and organizers to say no to the parties. Even after that call, the number of infected people has continued to rise, week after week.
In Gällivare, the fifth municipality most affected by covid-19, the reason is also clear. Anders Nystedt, infection control physician in the Norrbotten region, says:
– The Gällivare outbreak in May started in connection with a repair stop at LKAB’s Malmberget mine. Everything came to a halt except for a heavenly mass of activity in the repair of heavy machinery. LKAB had made a very good plan not to spread the disease, but they must also follow the plans.
Photo: ANDERS ALM
Anders Nystedt, an infection control physician in the Norrbotten region.
– It was more or less the hoof driven as it is called in Norrbotten, without order, in restaurants. And I think a lot of the repairmen who came in from Hannover and elsewhere had symptoms but they thought “oh damn, I’ve traveled here, I still work,” says Nystedt.
In recent weeks, the spread of the infection has been low in Gällivare.
– Burned child is afraid of fire. Many became seriously ill, and several died in May and June, and they don’t want to go back there, says Anders Nystedt.
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