Sweden now has more coronavirus patients in hospital than at any stage of the pandemic, as anti-blocking expert Anders Tegnell admits: “We are on the edge”
- Sweden has faced controversy by never imposing a type of blockade seen in Europe
- The latest data show that the country registered 17,395 new cases of coronavirus on Friday
- Figures show that December 17 was the deadliest day since the beginning of the pandemic, with 116 Covid deaths, surpassing a previous peak of 115 daily deaths set in April
Sweden registered 17,395 new cases of coronavirus on Friday, taking a total of more than 500,000 cases since the beginning of the pandemic.
Statistics from the Health Agency mean that the country now has more coronavirus patients in hospital than at any stage of the pandemic, while hospitals are struggling to cope with a second wave of the virus.
Sweden has made headlines around the world, never imposing the kind of blockade seen elsewhere in Europe, but it has begun to tighten its measures in the face of a second wave stronger than expected in recent months.
Figures show that December 17 was the deadliest day since the beginning of the pandemic, with 116 deaths, surpassing a previous peak of 115 daily deaths set in April.
While Sweden still has about 20% of its spare capacity in intensive care units, there are concerns that the spread will accelerate again as people return to work and school after the holidays.
“It’s pretty obvious that the health care system is just as tense now (as it is in the spring),” chief epidemiologist Anders Tegnell, the architect of an unorthodox pandemic strategy that avoided blockages, told a news conference.
“We are close to the limit for what the medical system can handle.”
On Friday, the Swedish parliament passed a pandemic law that gives the government new powers to reduce the spread of Covid in a country that has controversially relied on hitherto non-coercive measures.
The new law, which went into effect on Sunday, allows the government to close businesses, shopping malls or public transportation.
Under the new law, the government has the authority to shut down public transport. Pictured: Masked passengers get off a commuter train at Malmo Central Station in Malmo
The government may also impose limits on the number of people allowed in certain public places, rather than general restrictions on public gatherings.
In most cases, violating the new restrictions will result in a fine, which was not previously possible.
Unlike many other countries, Sweden does not have legislation that allows the government to close society in peacetime.
The ban on public gatherings of more than eight people took effect in November and a recommendation on the use of face masks in public transport came into force on Thursday.
The special law on the pandemic, which runs until September, was first scheduled to enter into force in March, but was advanced in January.
The country of 10 million people recorded 234 new deaths on Friday, reaching 9,667.
The recorded deaths occurred in a few days and weeks, many during the Christmas period being recorded with a significant delay.
The second wave also affected the way the Swedes perceive the authorities’ handling of the crisis.
In December, 47% said they had relatively high or high confidence in the actions of the government and agencies, down from 52% in the previous month.
Sweden’s per capita death rate is several times higher than that of its northern neighbors, but lower than several European countries that have opted for blockades.