In October last year, the average care time for Karolinska’s patients was 9.3 days. In November, the time dropped to 7.0 days, in December to 4.9 days and in January 2022, the care period lands at 4.5 days.

The more than halved care period can be due to several possible causes, according to Markus Birk, head of the infection operations at Karolinska.

Partly the ever higher vaccination rate and partly on the omicron variant which is assumed to be milder.

– The vaccine makes a huge difference. Although vaccinated people can get sick, they have protection and are much healthier than patients in the first or second wave. They then do not need to be cared for as long.

Has given patients at risk monoclonal antibodies

At Karolinska, it has also been possible to give at-risk patients with a weakened immune system and who can not develop any effect of the vaccine so-called monoclonal antibodies, or manufactured antibodies, which protect against severe disease progression.

A similar cure that former US President Donald Trump received after he was infected with the virus in 2020.

– It has definitely contributed, because these are patients who with great risk would otherwise have ended up in intensive care, says Markus Birk.