Rinkeby-Kista is the district in Stockholm where the inhabitants have been hit hardest by the new corona virus. The worst was the situation at the end of March and the beginning of April, but lately Rinkeby health center has seen a clear reduction in the number of new cases.

"It is much calmer now and a downward trend which is very gratifying," says Sumaya Al-Shakarji, specialist physician in general medicine at Rinkeby health center.

Internal herd immunity

Sumaya Al-Shakarji believes the decrease may be due to an "internal flock immunity".

- It would not surprise me if we have started to obtain a herd immunity in the local area, given that the spread of infection has been very tangible and many have died.

State epidemiologist Anders Tegnell says that it is possible that a high proportion of Rinkeby residents have become immune. However, he does not agree that it is a flock immunity, since the immunity would be limited to a too small part of the population.

- There are always people left who are receptive and people may come from outside who happen to meet them at random. Flock immunity is something that is talked about in large population groups for it to work well, says Anders Tegnell.

Hoping for tests

Sumaya Al-Shakarji wants to see extensive testing among Rinkeby residents, which she believes would be useful for the management of the new corona virus throughout the country.

- It would be very interesting. I think you can get great benefit from antibody testing on the population here, analyze the results and draw lessons from it.