Documents show: Unused test capacity at the beginning of the pandemic

SVT's local newsrooms, together with Uppdrag granskning, have examined the regions' handling of the corona pandemic.

A compilation shows that Region Kronoberg is one of the regions that tested the least per inhabitant (see fact box).

But notes from a meeting between the region and the Swedish Public Health Agency, from June 2020, state that the Kronoberg region has "today a test capacity of another 40%".

"Did not have such overcapacity"

SVT has requested the figures on test capacity that the region reported to the authority, but was not allowed to see them.

The director of health and medical care, Roger O Nilsson, tells SVT that there must be a misunderstanding during the meeting.

- We have not had such overcapacity.

I have checked it extra carefully and we have not had it, I have got to me.

We have worked all the time to expand, he says.

"Not restrictive"

When the Corona Commission in a survey asks "Had you sampled more in the region if the capacity had been higher" - the region answers with a similar task:

"The capacity has not been limiting, but could of course have been if the sampling indication had been different"

Does that mean you have been able to accelerate testing earlier?

- We have always followed the Swedish Public Health Agency's recommendations and indications.

I think there are enough answers there, says Roger O Nilsson.

When you are done with priority group two, why did you not move on to group three?

- On May 27, we get the assignment from FHM to rig for third.

Within fourteen days we are up and running.

A few weeks later, the news comes that we will start with priority group four.

14 days later we start for the public, in the middle of a burning holiday.

Perceived differently

But the order of priority was described by the Swedish Public Health Agency as early as 17 April 2020 and according to the then Director General, there was nothing in their recommendations to wait.

- A priority list is a priority list, one, two three, four.

When you have passed a level, you move on.

I think most regions have perceived it that way, says Johan Carlson to SVT's assignment review.

But the Kronoberg Region has not perceived it that way.

What do you think about Johan Carlson saying so?

- You can ask him about that.