Another nine soldiers have shown symptoms.

- Yes it is true. But we saw it coming and had a plan that we followed, says Ulf Hamberg, commander of the 181st Armored Battalion, which is part of Gotland's regiment.

It was after an exercise that was carried out a few weeks ago that several in a company at the 181st armored battalion located at Tofta began to feel symptoms.

- One of the soldiers got a fever and showed cold symptoms and was then sent home. A few days later, the same person was tested positive for covid-19, says Ulf Hamberg.

The regiment has a total of about 250 employees.

"We don't know where the infection came from"

Those who have been in contact with the infected were sent home with an invitation to stay isolated and infection tracking was carried out with the help of Region Gotland's infection control physician Maria Amér.

What did it give?

- It gave nothing. We do not know where the infection came from. But this is about people who often have family and move around like everyone else in society at their leisure, says Ulf Hamberg.

How do they feel sick?

- These are young strong individuals, so they feel good according to the circumstances. Anyone who first got sick had to spend a few days in hospital.

The regiment has not had any new confirmed cases of covid-19 since April 24.

Colonel Mattias Ardin, head of Gotland's regiment, P18. Photo: SVT

The consequence of the contagion situation now becomes that the local final exercise planned in place of Aurora 20 does not get rid of in the form that was intended.

- We have no conscripts and therefore not the same requirement for us to carry out a final exercise in order to be able to place war recruits. In the current situation, it is most reasonable to wait with the exercises we planned in May, says Mattias Ardin, head of Gotland's regiment, in a statement.