Four out of ten have been infected abroad
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Young people who ignore testing themselves, tourists who have taken holidays from the restrictions and people who become ill after the trip abroad.
Infection is increasing and the delta variant dominates – in several regions.
– For me, it is not so unexpected, Per-Åke Jarnheimer acting infection control doctor in the Kalmar Region.
Several regions in the country testify to the same thing.
Infection is increasing, especially among young people, and delta is the dominant variant.
Uppsala Region states in the latest county administrative board report that four out of ten new delta cases during the last two weeks can be linked to travel abroad.
Four out of ten have been infected on the trip
The phenomenon of Swedes traveling abroad, coming home and becoming ill seems to be becoming more common. In the Örebro Region, almost 40 percent of all new cases during the past week were due to a trip abroad. In Region Västmanland, just over 30 percent of cases are linked to the same thing.
Even in the Kalmar Region, travel outside Sweden is seen as a dominant reason for the spread of the infection.
– For me, it is not so unexpected that it looks like it does. As the delta variant is more contagious and takes over more and more in Europe, the risk of being infected on the trip is now higher than before, says Per-Åke Jarnheimer, acting infection control doctor in Kalmar.
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Young people do not test themselves
In the Kalmar Region, young people, aged 16–29, are in the majority among those who test positive for corona. It is also the young people who right now seem to be spreading the infection. According to the county administrative board’s latest report, few people test for symptoms and several ignore staying home in case of illness.
– We know that it occurs, but not exactly to what extent. Young people are extra susceptible to the virus because they are not vaccinated. They also spend time with other young people, which makes the spread of infection large in that particular age group, says Per-Åke Jarnheimer.
Are young people today’s super spreaders?
– It’s too early to say. In general, many now seem to have relaxed about the restrictions – especially the young. They are also dominant in the category of foreign infections.
Takes vacation from the restrictions
But it is not just young people who seem to have taken a break from the corona restrictions. It also seems the tourists have done.
According to the County Administrative Board’s report, summer tourists in the Kalmar Region have contributed to increased congestion on both beaches and restaurants.
– Maybe it’s the case that you no longer set up fun things when you feel a little sick. But the restrictions that have existed during the entire pandemic are at least as relevant now – avoid congestion and stay at home if you are ill, says Per-Åke Jarnheimer.
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“Calmer than in a long time”
In Region Skåne, the number of new cases increased from 30 per day in week 28 to 51 new cases during week 29. Despite this, the situation is judged to be stable – in several regions.
So also in Kalmar.
– It is much calmer than in a very long time. But we can not relax. The most important thing now is that everyone who can get vaccinated also does so, says Per-Åke Jarnheimer.
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