A lot of people are sick now – the reasons behind it

Runny nose, low fever and fatigue are currently affecting more and more people on Gotland.

– A combination of cold viruses and the increasing number of Covid-19 cases means that many people on Gotland are now sick. Infection control physician Maria Amir is one of them.

She, like many others, contracted the cold virus.

– I work from home, that's how you have to do it to keep everyone healthy, she says.

The presence of different strains of rhinovirus means that it is possible to get sick again, soon after you have had a cold.

– It is the most common cold virus throughout the year, as background noise, and has seasonal variations. Now that it's colder, more people are indoors, the air is drier and it's easier to get infected.

There, everyone has a responsibility to follow the advice of the public health agency and physically stay at home to spare others.

-You are more contagious at first, and then it is important to stay at home, she says.

While various cold viruses and mycoplasma bacteria are spreading, COVID-19 is on the rise.

-We have a slight increase now again. With more confirmed cases, Maria Amir tells us that eight people with confirmed infections were treated at Visby Hospital on Wednesday.

This year's vaccination campaign began on Tuesday, with appointments and schedules.

She says: – We see more people undergoing coronavirus tests, and it is gratifying that many have responded to the call to get vaccinated.

The Jutland region has requested vaccines against both coronavirus and influenza, which are given at the same time.

– It should be available to everyone who is recommended the vaccine, and then it is done after reaching others, says Maria Amir. She believes it is important to be careful early, if you are in a risk group or judged to be sensitive and vulnerable.

Last year, the Social Security Service (Försäkringskassan) paid out 48,350 tax holiday days (vab) to parents on Gotland. Statistics are only compiled after the fact.

We see that the medical condition varies greatly between nurseries, regions, and departments. Some are experiencing a noticeable increase in sickness absence among staff and children, says kindergarten director Lena Gustafsson, and she believes what we are seeing now is normal for this time of year.

She urges parents and staff to follow the advice of the public health agency and stay home if sick – so as not to become infected but also without regard for their children.

– It's harder to get sick among twelve friends than it is to get sick among mom and dad at home.

Lena Gustafsson attests that island parents can feel safe not sending any children home unnecessarily.

– It is carefully thought out before contacting the parents, as all staff are well aware that it is difficult with vab in the puzzle of life.