As of next week, 17,000 randomly selected Gothenburg citizens will receive an invitation and a sampling kit at home in the mailbox. The idea is that the self-tests, so-called PCR tests, should provide a snapshot of the spread of covid-19 in Gothenburg.

"We will get a more true picture of the current situation," says Magnus Lindh, who is the section manager for clinical microbiology at Sahlgrenska University Hospital.

-If you only look at the statistics of patients or those with symptoms who are looking for themselves, it can be distorted, depending on, for example, the tendency to seek care or different access to care.

Different character in the areas

Five areas have been selected to cover different types of housing: the suburbs Biskopsgården and Bergsjön, Majorna and Haga / Vasastaden in central Gothenburg and a residential area in Björkekärr in Örgryte.

-We wanted it to be different in the areas. It was important to have two million program areas included, otherwise we might draw the wrong conclusions when comparing them with the inner city, says Magnus Lindh.

Provides snapshot

Mass sampling will only answer if the test subjects are ill in covid-19 the moment they swab themselves in the nose and throat. Finding out how many people already had the disease, via an antibody test, became too cumbersome this time.

-You have to have snapshots too. We are not able to do antibody testing at the same time, because it requires blood tests, says Magnus Lindh.

-But we thought we might run it after the summer, in early September. Then there are also more people who have had it, then you get a little more information.

Antibody testing is delayed

In the last few weeks, the Västra Götaland region has conducted about 20,000 samples per week, largely on people with mild symptoms who have submitted tests via a health center.

Health and care professionals may also conduct antibody tests for some time. However, such a general opportunity will probably not be offered until this fall, according to Ann Söderström, director of health and medical services in the Västra Götaland region.

-We haven't opened to the public yet. We are working for a solution, but cannot burden our health centers with it right now, ”she says.

-It is possible that we will not start until the autumn to have adequate logistics.