COVID-19 spread in summer heat: 'clear increase'

Summer is usually a time when respiratory infections are less common, but already in early July, there was a new increase in COVID-19 cases among the population. Since then, the spread of the virus has continued to increase.

This applies to the number of confirmed cases, but also to those who need hospital care and people who die from the infection.

“It's at relatively low levels, but we're still seeing a clear increase,” says state epidemiologist Magnus Gislin.

Those being cared for in hospital are primarily the elderly and people with underlying conditions.

Magnus Gislin, who is also a professor of infectious diseases at Sahlgrenska Academy, believes the increase is not surprising.

– We see this not only in Sweden, but in many other countries as well. Covid-19 is a relatively new infection and we do not know for sure what the seasonal changes will look like in the future.

As for the number of patients being treated in the intensive care unit, there is no noticeable increase.

Magnus Gislin confirms The numbers cannot be compared to what they looked like during the winter months, or earlier during the pandemic.

– But we see that there is a spread of infection throughout the year, and that there are smaller peaks even during the summer.

This peak can be explained by the mutation of the virus, so that it can spread even among those who have built up a defense against previous variants.

– There are many different sub-variants circulating that have the potential to bypass the immune system and cause infection. Therefore, there will be another outbreak.

As more people start returning to work after the holidays, further spread of infections can be expected.

– When school starts and you meet again after the holidays, the injuries usually increase.

Before fall must The joint vaccination against the coronavirus and common flu started somewhat earlier than last year. The plan is to start vaccinating at-risk groups already in mid-October, instead of November.

It is about setting the vaccination rate correctly, so that a dose is given to the risk groups every six months.

– But we also saw last year that we had an unusually early surge in COVID-19 cases. It came earlier than most accounts had shown, actually in October. There is a risk that we will have a similarly early surge this year and we want to get coverage for that.