In the winter, Sweden is a hotbed of various infections that affect people with varying intensity during different seasons. The spread of covid-19 has, however, been at a relatively low level during the autumn.
It is at a stable level, at the same level as it has been since the end of the summer. We have expected it to increase, but when it will, if it will, and how much it will be, we do not know, says Magnus Gisslén, state epidemiologist at the Public Health Agency and professor of infectious diseases at Sahlgrenska Academy.
An increase
Instead, it is the flu that is increasingly making itself known and spreading.
As an epidemic start, week 50 is counted, and there is an increase of around 40 percent in the number of cases to week 51, which may seem like a lot.
But that's how it usually looks when it starts, and it's not from extremely high levels, says Gisslén.
When the flu starts spreading, it usually takes a couple of weeks to really take off.
And it looks like that now, so there will probably be even more cases next week.
Book an appointment
And for those who are recommended to get vaccinated against covid-19 and the flu, i.e., people over 65 and those who belong to risk groups, it's not too late.
We know that the vaccine is beneficial and reduces the risk of needing hospital care or, in the worst case, dying. This applies to both covid and the flu. If you belong to a group that is recommended for vaccination, it's high time to book an appointment, says Magnus Gisslén.
Corrected: In an earlier version of the text, there were inaccuracies about the spread of covid-19 during the past autumn.
