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In recent weeks, the delta variant has been the most common variant of corona infection, according to the public health authorities in Sweden.
In week 26, the last for which complete statistics are available, the delta variant was detected in about 60 per cent of all those infected.
The week before, 40 percent were infected by the delta variant.
– We are on our way into a fourth wave of infection. The consequences will not be as dramatic as before, but we will get many infected. Anders Björkman, who is a professor and expert on viruses, says this Aftonbladet.
Nearly 1.1 million Swedes have so far been diagnosed with coronary heart disease, and just over 14,600 coronary-related deaths have been registered in the country. This corresponds to 144 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants, while Norway has 15.
Prolonged problems
The professor thinks it is difficult to see how strong the fourth wave will hit.
– It is hard to say. It will probably not lead to as many sick and dead as the first, second and third wave. But more people can get long-term covid with the need for hospitalization, says Anders Björkman.
Vaccination is in full swing in Sweden. So far, just under 38 per cent have been fully vaccinated, which is somewhat higher than the number of fully vaccinated in Norway.
According to Björkman, 80 percent of the population must be vaccinated to stop the delta virus. And that level will not reach Sweden, he believes.
– This is a virus that will last, at least over the winter. It is just a matter of making sure that the fourth wave does not become too strong, says Anders Björkman.
More contagious
Delta was first detected in India in December and has now become the dominant variant in the United Kingdom, Denmark, Portugal, South Africa, Singapore and Russia. In addition, it is advancing rapidly in many countries and all continents.
Delta is considered more contagious than Alfa, which was first discovered in the UK and became dominant in Norway this winter.
Delta also seems to be able to increase the risk of serious illness.
Infection from abroad
There are especially six regions in Sweden that must experience an increase in infection. Stockholm, Uppsala, Västmanland, Västerbotten, Östergötland and Dalarna.
State epidemiologist Anders Tegnell believes it is too early to say whether a fourth corona wave is on its way in Sweden.
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According to Aftonbladet, it can be seen that many of the new infected are Swedes who come home from abroad. In Dalarna and Östergötland, it is especially people who have visited the European Football Championship in Russia who are infected.
The public health authorities still believe it is too early to talk about a fourth wave.
– We do not know if this is a new wave until we are a good distance inside it and we can look back. We will only know in a few weeks, says state epidemiologist Anders Tegnell to Aftonbladet.
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