Astar, who conducts adult education with, among other things, a chef and a construction orientation, had divided the classes so that different occupational groups would not get too close to each other. Nevertheless, what did not happen happened. Nearly half of all teachers were ill with clear symptoms of covid-19.

"I got short of breath"

In total, as many as 21 people were ill at the same time. It is believed that the infection may have spread after many of the staff were sitting and socializing together in the same smoking room. Hans Brändström says that one of his colleagues became so seriously ill that he had to receive intensive care for several weeks. He himself became ill.

- I got short of breath when I was out with the dog, says Hans, who shortly afterwards started calling all his colleagues and informing students. The same week the school was closed and it was not until a few days ago that all infected recovered and could meet again.

- We met here outdoors, says the headmaster, pointing to the parking lot which is located between the different professional premises.

"Don't Relax"

The school has both the municipality and the state as the principal and does not take summer leave, but the students are no longer allowed to enter the main building and further precautions have been taken.

- If I should give others a tip, it is not to relax and neglect, keep the distances and be very careful, says Hans Brändström.

No infection detection or testing

The principal and colleagues try to support the family that is most severely affected. Hans Brändström is critical that not all of the symptoms were tested in spite of notification of infection control and when half the teaching staff had obvious symptoms.

- It will be a long time before the hardest hit person is back at school, he says.