Pregnant assistant nurse Sandra was forced to work: "Cried every day" 

In a short time, the safety representatives at Östra Hospital in Gothenburg have stopped work on three occasions after pregnant women were exposed to covid-19 at work.

Sandra Hellberg, who works as an assistant nurse in a surgical emergency department, is one of those affected. 

- I meet patients from the time I go on my passport until I get off.

I help them in the toilet, change their nappies in bed, serve them food and take walks in the corridor.

You are very, very close to the patients, all the time, she says.

The union: Pregnant women have cared for the positive

All patients are tested for covid-19 days 2 and 5 during their stay, and pregnant women do not have to care for patients who have been found covid-positive, but that is not enough, according to the trade union Kommunal.

- It has repeatedly been shown that pregnant women have cared for positive patients.

The employer says that everyone uses mouth guards, but an assistant nurse needs to feed patients and everyone understands that patients cannot have mouth guards then, says Christine Marttila, section chair at Sahlgrenska University Hospital Östra.

The Swedish Work Environment Authority lifted the protection ban

In this case, however, the Swedish Work Environment Authority chose to follow the employer's line when it was believed that the employer had done what was required to prevent infection.

Kommunal has appealed the case and believes that assistant nurses are discriminated against because the Swedish Work Environment Authority made a different assessment regarding a nurse at the same hospital.

- There is no difference other than level of education.

For me, it is absolutely horrible, says Tobias Baudin, Kommunal's union chairman.

- I'm so damn good.

This is an employer who literally did not take the member's life and health seriously, and the Swedish Work Environment Authority says that it is perfectly okay.

SVT Nyheter has contacted the employer who does not want to comment on the individual case.

"Stress and anxiety"

For Sandra Hellberg, who is now pregnant in week 24, the situation led to her being on sick leave. 

- I have had strong and painful contractions due to all the stress and anxiety.

Hear Sandra Hellberg tell more in the clip above.