Sweden is currently conducting a record number of tests for coronavirus and boasts favorable numbers at a time when many other European countries, including the Czech Republic, are concerned about the sharp rise in coronavirus infections.
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Throughout the pandemic, Sweden has taken a more benevolent approach to the problem than the vast majority of other European countries, causing controversy not only in this Nordic country but also abroad. Instead of bans and quarantine measures, the Swedish government only recommended compliance with distance and hygiene rules.
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So far, according to Johns Hopkins University (JHU), the country has recorded 85,707 coronavirus cases and 5,838 deaths. The country of ten million has a much higher number of victims per capita than neighboring countries, but lower than Italy, Spain or Britain.
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“The purpose of our approach is for people to understand the need to follow existing recommendations and principles,” said Johan Carlson, head of the Swedish National Board of Health, at a news conference.
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While many other countries are constantly changing the rules and restrictions, according to Carlson, the Swedish recommendations should be understandable and sustainable for a longer period of time. Representatives of the World Health Organization (WHO) also praised the long-term sustainability of the Swedish strategy. “There are no more tricks until medical devices, especially vaccines, are available. The Swedish people have taken it to heart,” Carlson said.
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The numbers of deaths, hospitalizations and new infections are now low in Sweden, and the coronavirus is spreading the slowest in all of Scandinavia. In the past week, Sweden has performed over 120,000 tests and over 1,300 have tested positive. In the spring weeks, it was as much as 19 percent.
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“Our strategy is consistent and sustainable. We probably have a lower risk of spread compared to other countries,” said Jonas Ludvigsson, a professor of epidemiology at the Karolin Institute. He added that Sweden probably has a higher level of immunity in the population than most other countries. “I think we’re getting a lot out of it now,” the expert said.
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However, the Swedish approach still has its critics. The editorial of Dagens Nyheter points out that the high number of deaths in the country is being forgotten. “It seems that some numbers need to be repeated. Sweden has 5,837 deaths per covid-19. That is five times more than in Denmark,” the daily points out.
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