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The commission in charge of investigating Sweden’s response to the coronavirus pandemic has published the first results of its investigation, which focused on the management of nursing homes and the protection of the sectors of the population most at risk. In the document, the commission writes that there were serious structural deficiencies and problems in the response to the emergency, and that the “general responsibility” for what happened rests with the current government and those that preceded it.
The study is interesting for several reasons. First of all, because the Swedish commission is one of the first to publish part of the results of its investigations (even if the final report, which covers all aspects of Sweden’s response to the pandemic, is not expected before February 2022). Second, because during the first wave the Swedish government adopted a different strategy than all other European countries, choosing not to impose closures, limiting itself to issuing recommendations and relying on the individual responsibility of citizens, partly in an attempt to save the economy.
Due to this strategy, last spring in Sweden there were no restrictions on the freedom of citizens, but the cases of contagion per inhabitant exceeded those of Italy and the United Kingdom (deaths per inhabitant were somewhat lower), and above all the statistics The Swedish countries were much worse than those of the other Nordic countries, Denmark, Finland and Norway, which imposed quick blockades and managed to break the contagion curve quite effectively, greatly reducing casualties.
This approach was partially revised during the second wave, especially since the pandemic situation in Sweden is quite dire right now (let’s get back). Meanwhile, the government-appointed commission has identified the management and protection of nursing homes and other care facilities for the elderly as a major issue in the government’s response.
– Read also: Sweden’s strategy against coronavirus is not working
In early December, the commission led by Judge Matt Melin wrote (the report is 300 pages long, a summary of the results can be read here, in English), of the approximately 7,000 deaths in Sweden, 90 percent were older than 70 years. years and a half were in long-term care facilities for the elderly. These figures coincide with those of many other countries but, as the commission writes, “not all countries have been affected to the same degree.” The main reason for the prevalence of cases of contagion in nursing homes according to the commission is the “widespread spread of the virus in society”, but there have also been numerous structural and strategic problems that have affected the number of deaths in nursing homes .
These include the fragmentation of the organization (nursing homes are run by the 290 Swedish municipal administrations and health management is divided among the 21 regions of the country, not counting private operators) and a shortage of adequately trained staff: according to Commission, 20 percent of nursing home deaths were never seen by a doctor and 40 percent were never seen by a nurse.
The report also criticizes the delay in developing protection measures for the elderly, which became the focus of attention of health authorities only after the pandemic progressed, and in the creation of an adequate testing system, of which only they started talking in April. Also, the government belatedly decided to ban visits to nursing homes on April 1, but then went too strict in enforcing the ban, allowing many older people to die without being able to see their loved ones: this, according to the commission, It is unacceptable”.
The commission has not limited itself to identifying the problems, but rather attributes responsibility: while recognizing that the management of nursing homes is divided among many authorities, it believes that the “general responsibility” for what happened lies with the government and those who preceded it. , who already knew the problems of the facilities for the elderly.
Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven said at a brief press conference after the report was released that he agreed with the commission’s judgment and recognized the government’s responsibilities.
Sweden’s approach to the pandemic has changed in recent weeks. Löfven himself said that the arrival of a very serious second wave has surprised the Swedish health authorities a bit: “I think professionals [sanitari] I didn’t see such a wave in front of them, they were talking about separate clusters, “he said a few days ago in an interview with the newspaper. Aftonbladet. Starting at the end of November, the government imposed new restrictive measures for the first time: it banned the gatherings of more than eight people, closed some schools and banned the sale of alcoholic beverages after 8:00 p.m.
However, Swedish measures are still very lax compared to those adopted by the rest of Europe: restaurants, bars and all shops are open, there is no official recommendation on the use of masks and the ski season has just started. with open slopes and elevators in operation.
However, the situation of the pandemic has worsened in recent days: ICU beds are almost exhausted throughout the country, and in the Stockholm region, the capital, they have already reached 100 percent of their capacity. Bjorn Eriksson, director of the health system in Stockholm, said “we need help” and some neighboring countries such as Finland and Norway have said they are willing to take patients. While writing BloombergIn addition, there is a serious shortage of health personnel, also due to thousands of layoffs due to prohibitive working conditions.
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