The Public Health Authority opens for oral protection in elderly care

During Thursday's press conference, the Public Health Agency announced that Sweden now has 24 623 people confirmed infected with covid-19.

- An increasing proportion of the cases we find come from healthcare professionals as we test more, says Anders Tegnell, state epidemiologist at the Public Health Authority.

A total of 3,040 people have died in Sweden with covid infection. Over the past 24 days, 99 new deaths have been reported.

But the focus was on the elderly.

Anders Tegnell explained that the corona fall in the elderly care is decreasing.

"It is above all Stockholm that has been affected, and the lessons we get here we need to take with us into the country," he said during the press conference.

Although Stockholm has been hit hardest, the corona virus has spread to elderly homes throughout the country. Already in the middle of April, the virus had entered housing in all but one county.

Iréne Nilsson Carlsson, Public Health Council of the National Board of Health, points out that several measures against the spread of infection have already been introduced.

- Those who are now deceased were infected a few weeks ago and much has been done in the municipalities since then, but of course, much can be better, she says.

Among other things, the National Board of Health and Welfare has begun sending out information packages and education.

Malin Grape, head of the Public Health Authority's head of health care, suggested other measures. She opened for the use of mouthguards and visors on the accommodation.

- Despite the meager scientific evidence, we see that you can consider adding mouth protection or visor as an extra measure. This is a balance one has to make locally and according to the conditions one has.

But the proposal does not come without warnings.

- You complicate and add something that you are not used to using. It can lead to the spread of infection. In addition, it can lead to increased laxity with basic hygiene practices, Grape said.

Grape also clarifies that mouth guard and visor are not the most important steps one can take to prevent the infection.

- The most important thing to prevent dissemination in elderly care is that staff can be home at mild symptoms, and it is the employer's responsibility for it to work.