- It was not so long ago that we eased the requirements regarding oral protection and that staff did not need to have it towards the patient.

But unfortunately, the spread of infection is increasing now and therefore we feel compelled to reintroduce it to all patients in the region's care and in municipal and care, says Per Åke Jarnheimer who is an assistant infection control doctor in the Kalmar County region.

"Feels safe with a mouth guard"

According to staff at the county hospital in Kalmar, the decision was expected.

- It was a short time that we were without mouth guards and it was wonderful.

But we are used to being without but it was expected because covid-19 is not over, says Karin who is a nurse at the county hospital in Kalmar.

- As a staff, it feels safe to have mouth guards back, says Zine Barakat who is an assistant nurse at the county hospital in Kalmar.

Several other regions have also reintroduced the oral protection requirement, including the Kronoberg Region.

CLIP: Covidläget 2025 - the experts on the future

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What will society look like in March 2025, five years into the pandemic?

SVT let three experts predict the future - high-rise buildings, mouth guards and vaccines.

Photo: SVT, Storyblocks