NewsDesk @bactiman63

New statistics show that the spread of infection in Sweden continues to decrease. There are also fewer people cared for with COVID-19 in the country’s intensive care units.

The Public Health Agency’s updated statistics show that the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 decreased by 29 percent in the country during the past week, but there are differences at local and regional level. Of those sampled, 26 percent were positive. The number of new admissions to the intensive care unit also continued to decrease. During the previous week, 24 newly admitted people have been reported so far, compared with an average of 55 in the previous three weeks. The declining spread of infection follows developments in Europe.

We see a clear downward trend for the spread of infection in Sweden. At the same time, the dark figure is greater than before, as testing has decreased. It is now concentrated on health care and elderly care, where it is judged to do the most good to reduce the risks of further spread of infection and protect the most fragile groups from serious illness and death, says department head Britta Björkholm.

Statistics also show that the number of confirmed cases of covid-19 decreased by 17 percent during the past week among people living in special housing for the elderly and those who have home care. But the infection is not gone, it is still important to stay home in case of symptoms and to follow the recommendations in health and care, including for visitors.

The number of deaths per week increased during week 7, when 355 people died with covid-19. The Swedish Public Health Agency estimates that it will be another time before the reduced spread of infection has the effect of reducing the number of deaths with covid-19. This is because there is a delay in time from illness to death, and also a delay in the reporting of deaths.

Even though the pandemic has entered a new phase with reduced spread of infection, it is still ongoing. Therefore, it remains important to vaccinate against covid-19 to protect oneself and others, and to reduce the risk of serious illness and death. Through a high vaccination coverage, the population is also better equipped to withstand new waves of infection and virus variants, says Britta Björkholm.

In Sweden, the vast majority from the age of 12 have chosen to be vaccinated against covid-19. Among those aged 18 or over, approximately 61 percent are vaccinated with a third dose. But there are still just over a million people who have not taken their first dose, and there is a continuing need to increase vaccination coverage in the population.