In Eastern Gothenburg, there are 43 cases of covid-19 per 10,000 inhabitants. The districts that have the least number of confirmed infected are Västra and Norra Hisingen. In Norra Hisingen, there are only 16 cases per 10,000 inhabitants.

The figures for central and western Gothenburg are quite similar: just over 20 cases per 10,000 inhabitants.

No simple answers

The fact that Östra Göteborg, where many are crowded, has many cases is perhaps not so surprising. But in other places is actually more socially prosperous Örgryte-Härlanda, with 26 cases per 10,000 inhabitants. How is it related?

- What is important when you look at these figures is not to draw too fast conclusions. There are certainly a number of factors that make it look like it does. Congestion factors are important, yes, but they also have individual contagion events, says infection control physician Leif Dotevall and continues:

- In the case of Östra Göteborg, I think that senior housing is of great importance. We do not think that the congestion factor is greater in East Gothenburg than in West or North Hisingen or Angered. So the picture is more complicated.

Exposed areas

In Stockholm, it was seen that socially more vulnerable areas were hit harder. But Leif Dotevall then tones that connection down a bit.

"It certainly has great significance, but we can't see that it was decisive here," he says.

Instead, a host of other factors emerge, such as the sampling frequency, affected elderly homes, where healthcare professionals live, individual infections, Italian travelers and more. The picture is, in the words of the infectious surgeon, "quite complex".

- When you see a map, it can be tempting to draw quick conclusions that, for example, you have to be extra careful when traveling to or living in a certain area. But the challenge today is that the infection is found in all districts, in all municipalities. We have covid cases in all 49 municipalities in Västra Götaland now.