An increasing number of deaths are reported among covid-19 patients in elderly care.

  • At a retirement home in Kristianstad, two residents have died within a week.
  • Alvesta reported on Monday its first death at a retirement home.
  • In Västernorrland, three deaths have occurred in elderly homes since the weekend.

Staff are worried about contributing to the spread of infection - and the elderly to becoming infected.

In Södertälje, after a death on a short-term residence, tests have been carried out, which have shown that there are several infected caregivers in the home service.

In Gothenburg, security agents now require the home service to receive protective equipment - which today does not exist.

Stockholm: over 150 deceased

The most serious is the location in Stockholm. New figures that SVT has requested from the region show that 159 covid-infected persons have died in elderly homes. In total, 632 people have been found infected in a total of 121 homes.

"Unfortunately, we continue to see a proliferation," says Stefan Amér, physician and chief operating officer at Familjeläkarna, which provides care for a little less than half of Stockholm's elderly residents.

He wants to see an increased safety margin through, for example, requirements for visor or mouth protection in all patient-related care, to protect the elderly against infection from the home care staff.

The National Board of Health and Welfare: hygiene procedures are most important

The recent alarms from the elderly have also left an impression on the national authorities. Today, the National Board of Health and Welfare presented new advice to the municipalities' elderly care and home care.

- Establish routines that will make it possible to work in accordance with basic hygiene practices, including proper use of protective equipment. Everyone who works should be able to handle the equipment and know when to use it, says Thomas Lindén, Head of Department at the National Board of Health and Welfare.

However, no requirement for, for example, visor for all patient-related care, as Stefan Amér wanted, is not relevant.

- It is important not to use material in situations where it is not needed. After all, we have a shortage situation that makes it important to use materials correctly.

Is that why we do not have it in the elderly - because we do not have so many?

- No, it is important to use them correctly.

The Stockholm region announced today that it will start testing caregivers at elderly homes on Thursday.

Do you know more about the situation in elderly care and home care? Contact SVT's reporter.