The number of infections has tripled in the last six weeks and the EU's infection control authority ECDC now states that we are in a new wave.

In 23 of the 27 reporting countries, the spread of infection has also increased among those over 65.

- The scale is driven by the omicron variants BA.4 and BA.5.

They account for 80 percent of the virus in Europe right now, says Dr Agoritsa Baka, senior expert at ECDC.

In one month, the number of reported cases per week has increased from around 1,500 to just under 4,000.

- BA.5 is more contagious, it bypasses the immune system, both in vaccinated and among those who have had covid-19, explains the Public Health Agency's unit manager Anneli Carlander.

More seriously ill and dead

There are no indications that the BA.5 variant would lead to more severe disease than previous omicron variants.

But the increasing spread of infection still leads to more people now becoming seriously ill.

In recent weeks, hospital admissions have doubled in Europe.

The increase is also visible in Swedish healthcare.

- We receive reports that there is a certain increase in inpatients in inpatient care as well as intensive care.

But it is still from low levels compared to earlier in the pandemic, says Anneli Carlander.

According to the WHO, almost 3,000 Europeans die in covid-19 every week.

In Sweden, deaths are stable, but in seven other countries in Europe, including Norway and Greece, the number of deaths has increased in recent weeks.

ECDC: Pandemic action may be needed again

In order to reduce the spread of infection, ECDC expert Agoritsa Baka believes that some of the measures during the pandemic might need to be reintroduced.

- Such as mouth protection requirements in public transport and restrictions on larger gatherings, she says.   

The latest omikron variant that has sailed up is BA.2.75.

The variant, nicknamed the "centaur", is spreading rapidly in India and is now found in 15 countries.

Denmark, Germany, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands have a few cases each.

How contagious and dangerous is the centaur?

- We do not have enough knowledge about it to be able to say anything about it.

But we keep a close eye on its spread and expect more data from the countries where it circulates, says Agoritsa Baka.

So far, the centaur has not been discovered in Sweden.