Will Omikron Change Sweden’s Coronavirus Strategy? Chief epidemiologist: It’s still the same disease

Sweden during the pandemic became known for its extremely gentle treatment of the coronavirus. And when many countries, in the face of the new variant, partially close their borders and introduce new restrictions, the Swedish position will remain unchanged. “The advent of the Omikron variant will not lead to any major changes in the Swedish strategy,” said Sweden’s chief epidemiologist Anders Tegnell AFP.

1. Anders Tegnell is Sweden’s chief epidemiologist. He is the author of an exceptionally liberal strategy to combat COVID-19
2. It does not intend to change it also in the face of the potential threat from the Omikron variant
3. – Our policy has worked in the past. For now, we don’t see any reasons why it shouldn’t work now. It’s still the same disease, said Tegnell
4. More information can be found on the Onet homepage

«The Swedish model did not work out»

Sweden was an exception to other European countries in the previous waves of the coronavirus pandemic. There was never a lockdown there, the requirement to wear masks was very narrow, during peak hours for certain age groups and when using health facilities. In addition, visits to nursing homes were reduced, limits were introduced during events and in eateries, and the opening hours of these institutions were also shortened.

According to the recommendations of the chief Swedish epidemiologist Anders Tegnell, there was an attempt to obtain herd immunity by contracting COVID-19.

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Many epidemiologists have criticized this approach to the coronavirus. She talked about it, for example, in an interview with Medonet, prof. Agnieszka Szuster-Ciesielska from the Department of Virology and Immunology at the Maria Curie-Skłodowska University in Lublin.

– The Swedish model has not worked. The Swedes themselves admitted that the strategy proposed at the beginning and implemented was a mistake. It resulted in a huge number of deaths of elderly people. Chief epidemiologist Dr. Tegnell himself admitted that they failed in this case. Sweden has nine times more deaths than Norway and seven times more than Finlandia – emphasized the epidemiologist.

Anders Tegnell: the Omikron variant does not change anything

The Swedes seem to remain consistent in their approach to the coronavirus.

“The appearance of the Omikron variant will not make major changes to Sweden’s COVID-19 policy,” Tegnell said on Tuesday.

– The number of deaths from coronavirus in Sweden is close to the European average – added the epidemiologist. However, death rates in Sweden, both global and per population, are significantly higher than in other Nordic countries.

1. Omicron is crazy about South Africa. The increase in new cases is dramatic – they have doubled in a day

Sweden lifted all restrictions at the end of September, but new restrictions are in force on 1 December. They are very gentle. The most important requirement is the obligation to present a covid certificate during indoor events with the participation of over 100 people. These rules were announced before the appearance of the Omikron variant.

“The effects of Swedish epidemiological rules were not that different from those of other countries’ restrictions,” said Tegnell. He added that the current policy should be sufficient to protect against the new variant. – It worked in the past. For now, we don’t see any reasons why it shouldn’t work now.

“It’s still the same disease,” added Sweden’s chief epidemiologist.

Source: worldometers.info

Coronavirus in Sweden. Few infections and deaths

– The problem may be to what extent vaccines protect. But there is no data yet to say whether vaccines protect or not, said Tegnell. He added that so far “there are no indications that Omikron causes more severe disease symptoms than the previous variants”.

In Sweden, about 70% of them have been fully vaccinated so far. population. A booster dose has also been approved, with the elderly and nursing home residents expected to receive it first.

1. Infections and deaths in November. We compare the peak of the fourth wave to the previous waves

In Sweden, the number of new COVID-19 cases is currently one of the lowest in Europe. On December 1, it was announced about 2 thousand. 416 infections. No deaths have been reported from the coronavirus. Two people had died the day before. The average daily infection from the last week is 1 thousand. 877.

“ The next wave of coronavirus is likely to emerge, but this time the population vaccination rate is so high that the healthcare system will certainly be able to handle it, ” added Tegnell.

Also read:

1. Omicron. The new Covid-19 variant has a name. Why is it important?
2. What are the symptoms of the new Omikron variant? They are unusual
3. COVID-19 has taken over Europe. Lockdown in two countries, restrictions in almost all [MAP]
4. What are the symptoms of COVID-19 patients now?

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