Sweden

Through Sunday, Sweden recorded 1,540 deaths related to Covid-19. On Sunday, 29 people were killed. The total number of infections (14,385) is considerably more than in the rest of Scandinavia. There are twice as many infections and ten times more deaths than in Norway, which has about half fewer inhabitants. Sweden also has more than twice as many infections and more than three times more deaths than Denmark, which has over a third fewer inhabitants.

In an explanation, Tegnell nevertheless said that after the number of infections flared up last week, the figures are now stabilizing. In any case, the curve was flattened, according to the epidemiologist.

Sweden is attracting international attention because of its different and, according to some, idiosyncratic approach. The Swedish government has left schools, gyms and even cafes, bars and restaurants open. However, citizens have been urged to take responsibility themselves and to follow the guidelines for social distance seriously. And that works pretty well. Football matches have been canceled, university buildings are also closed.

Bold

However, according to commentators, few countries can afford the bold Swedish strategy. The country may have one of the best-functioning health systems in the world. And according to the Swedish government, there was never a real shortage of medical equipment or hospital capacity. The extra hospital tents set up just in case remained largely empty.

“The trend we’ve seen in recent days is one that is stabilizing,” Karin Tegmark Wisell, head of the microbiology department at the Swedish Public Health Authority told Bloomberg news agency. “We see the same pattern for patients in intensive care.”

This is a huge relief to Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven, who feared last week that his government had gambled incorrectly and may even need to reconsider its approach. Swedish media then suddenly reported hundreds of cases of infection in care centers in Stockholm, the worst affected region. One third of the fatalities are people who live in care homes. But the numbers have gotten better again. Lofven’s popularity has thus increased, which indicates that the Swedes support his approach.

Parts of the country could even reach the “group immunity” target next month, according to national epidemiologist Tegnell. The more people immune to a particular disease, the less likely it is to spread. However, there are also Swedish virologists who warn against cheating too early. The approach remains risky.

Relieved

Swedish businesses are also relieved. “I have great confidence in the Swedish authorities,” said Hakan Samuelsson, CEO of Volvo Cars in a telephone interview with Bloomberg. Volvo, which was forced to shut down production across Europe and shut down approximately 20,000 Swedish workers, will resume production at its Swedish factories on Monday.

The Swedish strategy, if successful, could ultimately lead to a smaller – albeit historically deep – economic contraction than in the rest of Europe, HSBC Global Research economist James Pomeroy expects. He points to specific Swedish circumstances that make this possible. More than half of Swedish households are made up of one person, making it easier to observe social distance. More people are working from home than anywhere else in Europe, and almost everyone has access to high-speed internet, allowing large parts of the workforce to remain productive, even outside the office.

And while many other countries have introduced strict rules with high fines for violating people, Swedes seem to follow government guidelines without the need for legislation. Travel from Stockholm to Gotland – a popular holiday destination – fell by 96 percent over the Easter weekend, according to data from the country’s largest mobile operator, Telia Company.