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“The issue of herd immunity is complex,” Anders Tegnell told a news conference on Tuesday. “So far, we see no signs that societally acquired immunity is slowing the spread of infection.”
Swedes are more affected by the virus than their neighbors in other parts of the northern European region, with antibodies detected in one in three Stockholm residents, according to data released this week. As is well known, the country became famous for choosing the path of voluntary measures over quarantine.
Mr Tegnell has previously said that herd immunity is difficult to measure, and has even questioned official data.
Swedish authorities have made it clear that immunity is not a political goal, but due to the impact of the virus in the country, it is clearly becoming a test of control for this theory.
Anders Tegnellis
OECD study
A recent study by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) cites Sweden as one of the worst affected countries in Europe in terms of death rates and COVID-19 infection. In addition, it slowed the spread of the virus more slowly.
Sweden was recently forced to adjust its antivirus strategy when the infection rate exceeded 7,000 cases per day. In early November, the country’s prime minister, Stefan Lofven, took, in his own words, an “unprecedented” step: it was decided to ban gatherings of more than eight people. In addition, the sale of alcohol is prohibited after 10 pm.
Lofven took an unusual step on Sunday and appealed to the nation’s population on television, asking his compatriots to do more. “People’s health and lives are still in danger, and that danger is increasing,” he said.
Vaccine
The new restrictions go into effect with warnings that beds in intensive care units are filling up quickly. Meanwhile, the country’s authorities caution that a potential vaccine should not be overemphasized in the future.
“The number of patients in need of intensive care and nursing continues to grow,” Thomas Linden, department head of the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare, told a news conference Tuesday.
The fact that the vaccine is available within a few months should not be seen as an indication to ignore precautions. “
“During the third wave, the health care system will be even more congested than before,” he said.
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