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Sweden’s famous “soft” approach to the coronavirus pandemic is widely echoed in Europe. Now, when the authorities of many countries are trying to take steps to protect citizens, but at the same time not to close the economy, Sweden is their natural point of reference. A state that continues to function normally. Especially the Scandinavian countries want to draw on its experience by carefully analyzing the successes and failures of their neighbors.
- Prof. Denmark’s Søren Riis Paludan says the high number of COVID-19 deaths among Swedes over 69 was preventable
- Sweden is the only Scandinavian country where there is no obligation to wear masks in public spaces
- In neighboring Finland, the number of coronavirus cases is five times lower than the European Union average. The state owes its success to an extremely effective policy of testing and tracing contacts
- Despite the small number of COVID-19 patients requiring intensive care, the Nordic countries are securing additional medical staff
- You can find more up-to-date information on the TvoiLokony home page
While in Sweden no bars, restaurants or schools (for students under 16) have closed since spring, a lockdown has been introduced in neighboring countries – Denmark, Norway and Finland. Following a marked drop in viral transmission levels in the summer months (July and August), the fall saw a sharp rise in the number of cases in Sweden. On November 12, a record result was recorded there – 472,9 cases per 100 thousand. inhabitants, and at the same time in Norway only 135,5.
- Sweden adjusts its combat strategy. “Too many people have flouted the restrictions”
The total number of deaths in Sweden has already exceeded 6, still much less than, for example, in Belgium, Spain and the United Kingdom, but more than in all Scandinavian countries combined.
These relatively low rates provide an argument for supporters of the easing of pandemic constraints. After all, the fight against the coronavirus in Sweden was based solely on recommendations for washing hands, maintaining social distancing and limiting gatherings to 50 people.
“We learn what to do and what not to do in Sweden,” says Søren Riis Paludan, professor of biomedicine at Aarhus University in Denmark. – We already know that lockdown is not necessary, but we also know that precautions must be taken, especially in the case of elderly people.
89 percent of COVID-19 victims in Sweden were people over 69 years of age. Over 2020 people died in nursing homes in the first six months of 2. What even the Swedish Healthcare and Welfare Inspectorate described as “a serious failure”.
– There was a shortage of protective equipment, and insufficient access to doctors. – summarizes prof. Paludan. – These deaths could have been prevented.
Norway, whose population is half the size, has had 267 deaths from COVID-19. As much as 90 percent were people over 70 years of age. In Denmark, which is comparable in size, 697 people have died from the coronavirus.
No Scandinavian country decided to go into a total lockdown in the fall.
– Based on the data from Sweden, we found that the opening of schools does not increase the transmission of the virus – says prof. Paludan. – If we protect certain groups, the country does not have to close itself off. In Denmark, restrictions only apply to the size of meetings, reduced restaurant hours and the wearing of masks.
Anyway, when it comes to masks, the Scandinavian countries do not agree. In Sweden, they are only recommended to be worn in hospitals treating COVID-19 patients.
“It’s strange, because masks are an extremely effective and inexpensive means of preventing infection,” says Anders Vahlne, professor of virology at the Karolinska Institute. – Most studies show that they work, I do not understand why they are not compulsory for us.
Sweden is far from achieving herd immunity
Apart from the obligation to wear masks, Sweden’s current situation is more and more like its neighbors. The country is introducing more and more restrictions. In early November, Prime Minister Stefan Lofven reminded Swedes that every citizen must behave responsibly because the virus is still dangerous.
On November 12, new restrictions were introduced in 13 out of 21 regions of Sweden, including public transport, maintaining social distancing and limiting the number of guests in restaurants and cafes to eight people.
Although the Swedes have emphasized since the outbreak of the pandemic that their strategy was not based on building herd resilience, Joacim Rocklöv, professor of epidemiology and public health at the University of Umeå, believes that the lack of it is the main reason for the tightening of government policy. The Swedish Public Health Agency predicted in April that by May 40 percent. Stockholm’s population develops COVID-19 and develops antibodies. However, at the beginning of September, the same agency published the results of its own research, which indicates that only 11,4 percent of antibodies were produced in Stockholm. inhabitants, in Gothenburg – 6,3 percent, and in the whole of Sweden – 7,1 percent.
- Sweden: infection records, more and more deaths. The author of the strategy took the floor
According to Rocklöv, another reason to change Sweden’s position on the pandemic is the experience of neighboring countries. Their stricter policies “proved to be more effective” and had no detrimental economic effects.
Dr. Johan Nöjd, who heads the infectious disease control department of Uppsala – the first region to add additional restrictions – described it as a “local lockdown”, although the Swedish Public Health Authority insisted on the term “stricter guidelines”.
The confusion was further exacerbated by the relaxation of other restrictions. It was about special recommendations for people over 70 and people at risk. Among others, for visits to nursing homes, and the audience for cultural and sports events was increased to 300 people.
Sweden’s pandemic management strategy is also changing in terms of testing policy. The Swedes initially avoided mass testing of citizens, but recently they perform up to 190. tests per week (in May there were 32 thousand. 700).
In neighboring Finland, the number of coronavirus cases is five times lower than the European Union average. The state owes its success to an extremely effective policy of testing and tracing contacts. Citizens use the Corona flash application en masse. In a country of 5,5 million, it has been downloaded 2,5 million times. A similar application worked in Norway, but the data protection authority there forced its withdrawal from use. Denmark also developed its own contact tracing strategies, opening, inter alia, helpline for infected people.
- Epidemiologist: This is why Sweden avoided the Second Wave. Two key factors
Prof. Anders Vahlne is one of 200 Swedish scientists who openly criticize his country’s approach to the coronavirus pandemic. The group published an open letter in the press condemning the easing of restrictions, calling the policy “absurd and lethal”. The signatories of the letter also question “encouraging those most at risk to return to normal life”. It is an open challenge to public confidence in the authorities – the main pillar of Sweden’s voluntary pandemic management policy.
Prof. Paludan believes that one of the reasons Scandinavian countries, including Sweden, avoided the alarming rates of infection and death is that the Scandinavians are “ready to follow the rules and follow the direction of the authorities.” Despite the lack of enforcement of the restrictions, most citizens do so.
A May study by the European Commission found that Danish and Finnish citizens have the highest trust in their governments in Europe. Despite a slight decline in June due to the rising death toll from the coronavirus, confidence in the Swedish authorities also remains high.
In Sweden, the last 20 people killed by COVID-19 per day (compared to 100 at the beginning of April), and since the end of November, this number has been steadily declining. In October, on average, 2 people a day were admitted to intensive care units, while at the turn of March and April it was 40-50 people. This marked decline is partly due to the new COVID-19 treatment guidelines, which include giving patients higher doses of anticoagulants and cortisone, as well as placing them on their stomachs (known as proning).
Thomas Linden from the Swedish National Council for Health and Welfare stresses that the number of COVID-19 patients in intensive care units is relatively small. They occupy about 15 percent. all places. Both the National Board of Health and Welfare and the Swedish Public Health Agency describe the readiness of the health system there for a sudden increase in infections as “good”. But Sineva Ribeiro, president of the Swedish health workers union, says there are “more complaints from workers who are not coping with the second wave of the pandemic.”
On October 29, as Sweden approached its record increase in infections, the country’s chief epidemiologist, Anders Tegnell, said: “We are reaching the limit of the endurance of our healthcare system.”
Neighboring Finland also recorded a decline in ICU admissions, and in Denmark, only around 0,5% since the start of the pandemic. all those infected developed severe COVID-19. Despite a significantly lower burden on the health care system than in Sweden, the Scandinavian countries are introducing emergency measures. Danes train doctors and nurses of other specialties to work in NICUs, and the Finns have transferred 1500 medical staff to covid wards. On the other hand, in Norway, where about 80 people live and work. Swedish citizens, the government is strengthening border patrols. All this to prevent the import of infections.
See also:
- The Swedish government is of the opinion that vaccines will not make the pandemic go away
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