In order to break chains of infection, it is necessary to map and inform people who have met an infected person, so that they can maintain a social distance during the possible incubation period. This is called infection tracking and is already happening now, especially in regions that are not so hard hit by covid-19.

Three areas prioritized

The Swedish Public Health Agency has identified three areas where infection tracing is particularly important, where it is known that there is a high risk of infection. These are "health care", "household contacts", ie people who share a household, and "other risk environments for the public", such as institutions, workplaces and gatherings.

- In health care and care activities, it is very important to make a comprehensive and very accurate infection tracing. And it is also important to have an accurate infection tracking in families and other places where it is known that the infection spreads often. On the other hand, in the case of infection in other parts of society, one can keep a slightly lower level of ambition, says state epidemiologist Anders Tegnell.

General dangerous disease

The Communicable Diseases Act states that "anyone who knows that he has a generally dangerous disease is obliged to inform about the infection to such people as he comes in contact with, where a considerable risk of transmission can arise". But the main responsibility for infection tracking lies with the doctor who made the diagnosis. But you can get help from the individual to get information about what contacts he has had.

If someone falls ill at a workplace, should managers provide further information to those who worked close to the patient?

- No, they are not the ones to do it. It is very important that personal integrity is maintained. This is up to the healthcare system, local healthcare and the individual who has been ill must provide that information. It should not come via any other means, it is important, so that you can maintain patient confidentiality, says Anders Tegnell.