It is a so-called prevalence survey, where the main purpose is to investigate the impact of a return to campus-based activities during the ongoing pandemic.

Umeå University is particularly interesting to investigate because Västerbotten and Umeå have been relatively spared from infection, and because the university is a national recruit with a majority of incoming students.

- The results will be very valuable also for other universities, both Swedish and international, says Anders Johansson, researcher in infectious diseases at Umeå University, who is the project manager for the study in Umeå in a press release.

Increased risk at the start of the semester

All students and staff at Umeå University and SLU who are on site in Umeå are offered to perform self-sampling. It is free to participate, and people who participate find out if they have the virus and need to undergo infection detection, something that can prevent more people from becoming infected.

- The start of the semester means an increased risk of the spread of infection as more people than usual gather and move around in society. What we are doing now can affect the spread of infection in the Umeå area and Västerbotten for many weeks to come, says Stephan Stenmark, infection control doctor at the Västerbotten Region.

New sampling

After one week, all participants are encouraged to take a new sample.
- Then you can study if you have reduced the spread enough, says Anders Johansson.

Sampling is offered during weeks 36 and 37.