Since the beginning of the corona outbreak, 177 northerners have died with or by covid-19.

In 2021, a total of 39 people have died and in the 33 cases examined by the region, the age range has widened - from 47 to 95 years.

- The age range is quite large.

However, the vast majority who are under 70 die with covid - not with covid, says Anders Nystedt.

Other causes may be behind it

The Swedish Public Health Agency has a kind of criterion for the statistics.

If you have been diagnosed with the coronavirus 30 days before the date of death, it is included.

- The cause of death is often different or that they are basically very ill and therefore unable to cope with the infection.

Therefore, there will be some who have actually died of other causes, says Nystedt.

Arjeplog and eastern Norrbotten hard hit

The infection control doctor says that you can see a clear pattern geographically.

A municipality with a large spread of infection in relation to its population also receives many deaths.

- Right now, it is eastern Norrbotten and Arjeplog that are hardest hit.

Older people need two syringes for adequate protection

Of the 33 deaths, 27 had care interventions.

22 were cared for in special housing for the elderly, while the other five had home care, home care or both.

Had any of the deceased been vaccinated?

- I do not know, but it is not unlikely that some have had time to get the first dose of vaccine.

Then they have probably been infected in close proximity to it and in that case the vaccine has not had time to take effect, says Nystedt and continues:

- Then the effect of vaccine dose is probably only moderate.

The elderly in particular must probably receive two doses before the protection is good enough.

Infection control doctor: "Keep fighting"

To reduce the spread of infection and the death toll, Anders Nystedt has been clear since day one.

The simple is the fundamental.

- Stay away if you have cold symptoms.

Keep your distance when possible, then you will not be infected or infect others.

Think of hand hygiene when you are out in public, then there will not be much of a spread of infection.

Are we too bad at this?

- We should get even better and fight on.

The vaccines are coming soon!