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Sweden remains an exception to Covid-19. While the number of infections in the rest of Europe is persistently rising until a second wave, Swedes still don’t wear masks. Not on the train, not on the bus, not shopping.
But now Sweden’s chief epidemiologist, Anders Tegnell (64), also seems to be nervous. Sweden’s Corona-Sonderweg architect has always said that despite comparatively low infection rates, it is too early to say whether Sweden’s path is the right one. All countries would be in a different phase of the pandemic. Now Tegnell is apparently seeing signs that the Swedes should adhere more strictly to protective measures.
The daily death toll has stabilized in the low single digits. But since the beginning of the month, the number of daily infections has climbed back to around 500 on average. “We are going slowly but surely in the wrong direction,” Tegnell said last week. This after Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven (63) urgently warned the population to adhere to the authorities’ protection recommendations: work from home and avoid large crowds.
Travelers as a risk factor?
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Tegnell said: “Unfortunately, it looks like we are heading into a new record week. The curve that started last week continues around the world this week. There are quite a few countries that have seen dramatic increases recently. “Sweden is also feeling this:” We have seen a slight rebound in recent weeks. It is not as dramatic as in other European countries, but slowly but surely things are going in the wrong direction. ” , Tegnell is quoted on the Swedish online portal “The Local”.
If necessary, “local closures would be imposed for a maximum of two or three weeks to stop the spread of the virus,” Tegnell quoted in Britain’s “Telegraph”. That marked Sweden’s biggest change in strategy since March, when no shutdown was ordered.
People’s return to work after summer break is cited as the main reason for the change in trend. Although the authorities advise working from home, more and more people are commuting daily. “This is one of the big differences from before,” says Tegnell. (kes)
