The municipality has also tightened the guidelines for its staff, especially for employees in health care, who feel respiratory symptoms. Although the symptoms are mild, the employees are encouraged to take sick leave and stay at home.

The municipality has issued a press release urging that the cold should avoid visits to the elderly and sick if the visit is not necessary.

- We are completely following the recommendations of the Public Health Agency and the Swedish Medical Protection Agency, says Johan Fritz, City Director at Jönköping Municipality.

Very high risk of spread

The public health authority has increased the risk of corona spread in Sweden to "very high". The guidelines are clarified by urging everyone with the disease symptoms to stay at home.

"It is very important to think about the elderly who can be hit very hard," says the state health epidemiologist, Anders Tegnell.

When there are indications of social transmission of the new virus, that is, not just cases where people have become infected in another country, it becomes even more important to be vigilant for mild symptoms.

- The difference in behavior is not so great from last week. It is even clearer now that if you are cold or start getting symptoms, you should stay home. Especially if you work with the elderly or those who can become seriously ill, says Anders Tegnell.

Common sense

Generally common sense is what the Public Health Authority advocates, as well as good hand hygiene.

- Especially in this situation, so that you do not expose your environment to unnecessary risk. It is the elderly who are most vulnerable, so it is for the sake of society, not for their own sake, says Anders Tegnell.