Why is the spread of covid-19 declining?

According to state epidemiologist Anders Tegnell, it is a combination of causes that is causing the spread of infection to decrease sharply right now. He believes that the images of the congestion are exceptional, and that we in Sweden are still good at keeping our distance.

- I have been free and moved around and think that very many businesses are very good at making sure it is possible to keep their distance, and that people do it. Then there are certainly exceptions, as it always does, but the pictures do not reflect the total reality, says Anders Tegnell.

Another reason is that the warmer weather at least partially affects the virus, and that the fact that we are more outdoors makes it more difficult for the virus to spread.

The fact that the infection has decreased dramatically is also due to the fact that parts of the population in Sweden have achieved immunity, which means that the expected "push", which should come when we meet more and others than we usually do, has not materialized.

- We do not have herd immunity, and may not achieve either. It is very rare for diseases to disappear in this way. But we are at such a level that it matters. The large, rapid decline we are seeing strongly suggests that we have a high level of immunity.

The total sum is that the epidemic has been slowed down in a way that Anders Tegnell could not believe a few weeks ago.

- Of course I am very happy, this is easier for healthcare and fewer deaths. It feels very good that we are here. It is also actually another sign that the Swedish strategy actually works, says Anders Tegnell.

To date, 5,646 people have been reported dead by covid-19 in Sweden. And Sweden has received a lot of criticism from the outside world for not shutting down society completely.

Instead, the strategy has been to recommend residents to stay away on a voluntary basis, wash their hands and not socialize so much. Many other countries have banned people from moving freely and fine those who go outdoors without a valid reason, or who do not wear a face mask.

- We have the same rapid course, with a very rapid declining spread of infection, as many countries have said that this is because they have shut down society. We have succeeded in doing so with much less invasive measures in Sweden, says Tegnell.