Retirement homes in Sweden were initially hit very hard by the progress of the corona.

More than 2,600 people in special housing have died with covid-19, according to statistics from the National Board of Health and Welfare.

Almost half of all those who have died so far.

On 1 April, therefore, a general curfew was introduced - but now nursing homes are getting ready to receive visits again.

At the same time, the spread of infection has gained new momentum in some places.

Concerns about new wave

SVT Nyheter has contacted more than 40 medically responsible nurses, MAS, and asked how they see the nursing homes reopening for visits.

Almost everyone, from Arjeplog in the north to Helsingborg in the south, is basically positive that the curfew is lifted - but also expresses concern about a new corona wave in the homes.

"It feels as if it is a bit early for an opening when there is still a pandemic going on and where you see a slight increase in the spread of infection in the country," writes Annika Nilsson, MAS in Älvsbyn municipality, to SVT.

Several describe extensive preparations to keep the infection away and some require visitors to wear a visor and mouth guard.

Got infection early

In Lidingö municipality, the nursing homes got the infection early - and the Swedish Health and Care Inspectorate, IVO, pointed out the municipality as one of the 40 municipalities whose nursing homes were particularly hard hit during the pandemic.

Now the municipality's nursing homes have been free from infection for a couple of months.

But Cecilia Lewenhaupt, medically responsible nurse, is worried about how the staff will act if the infection recurs.

- As I see it, we have no authority to limit visits more than we can appeal and inform.

These are their apartments and they live here, just like no one can forbid me to take visitors home.

What do you think about it?

- There we would need more support, I am thinking primarily of the infection control unit in Stockholm, which still has a responsibility for managing the spread of infection, says Cecilia Lewenhaupt.

SVT has contacted Smittskydd Stockholm for a comment.

Did you work in a nursing home during the corona spring and had to make difficult decisions?

We would love to hear your story.