A total of 4,639 people have died as a result of covid-19 so far in Sweden, of which 77 cases have been reported in the last 24 hours. The number of confirmed cases is 42,939, of which 1,056 are the last 24 hours. This was stated during today's press conference at the Public Health Authority (FHM).

Regions see an improvement in the short term

During the press conference, the National Board of Health and Welfare announced that 11 of 21 of the country's regions see an improvement of the situation in the short term, and 9 of 21 see an improvement in the long term.

"So it's not just about intensive care capacity, but there are many parameters, such as access to materials, infrastructure, emergency care and more," says Johanna Sandwall, crisis management manager at the National Board of Health and Welfare.

- This is the first time we have more green than red in our short-term situation. It stands for something anyway, says Sandwall.

In this case, short term means 48-72 hours, and long term 10-15 days.

The question of immunity remains

Following yesterday's government announcement that mass tests will be introduced during the summer, the question of whether antibodies really give immunity has once again become hot.

- We have no known case descriptions where you get sick again, that's a sign. Then you can see in the laboratory if antibodies can protect cells from getting infected. It has been shown to have a good correlation, that if you have antibodies and have been ill, the cells can be protected in the cell culture, says Byfors.

By contrast, how high levels of antibodies one must have, and how long the immunity lasts, vary from person to person, Byfors adds.

Travel for people over 70 years

The issue of how people over the age of 70 should relate to yesterday's message about easing travel restrictions was also addressed during today's press conference.

- It is okay even for 70+ to travel when the recommendations for domestic travel are removed in the middle of the month, but it should be done safely and when in place you should behave at home, ie keep a physical distance and follow other recommendations, says Sara Byfors.