Covid on the rise in Helsingborg – 'Risk groups must be vaccinated'

From almost no infections at the beginning of the summer, the presence of Covid in the wastewater of Helsinki citizens has been steadily rising throughout July and August as well.

This is shown by a survey conducted by the Swedish Agricultural University SLU in several Swedish municipalities. Approximately 150,000 people are connected to the sewerage system in Helsingborg.

New virus variants

– New virus strains have arrived and are bypassing the immune system, says Birgitta Holmgren, an assistant infectious disease physician in Skåne.

In addition to sewage, the increase also appears in other ways.

– Infectious Disease Prevention has received reports of cases from the healthcare system around Scania.

Birgitta Holmgren recognizes the pattern of infection that occurred last summer.

– Then it seemed like it was, you say.

What do you think of fall?

– Since the virus is new it is difficult to say, but it is not impossible that we will see a continued increase when schools start.

No increase in the clinic

Testing is no longer very important in mild cases.

– The most important thing is to stay home so you don't infect others. And of course, wash your hands and cough into the crook of your arm, says Birgitta Holmgren.

However, it urges all older adults and at-risk groups to continue to receive vaccination.

– You can still get sick, but the vaccine protects against severe illness. The vaccine is updated as the virus does.

At Helsingborg Clinic, the increase was not significant.

“We’ve had between one and three cases of coronavirus this summer, all of them with underlying conditions,” says hospital director Thomas Whalen. “Right now, we’ve had no one admitted with coronavirus at all.”