Sweden records the most new coronavirus cases in the EU
For the first time this year, Sweden's rate of coronavirus cases has topped European Union figures but associated deaths are among the lowest.
The country had a 14-day-notification rate of 577 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.
Passing one million cases in early May, Sweden has been near the top, just after Cyprus, for weeks with new cases subsiding faster in the rest of Europe. Sweden saw a peak in mid-April with a 14-day-notification rate of over 800 cases per 100,000 people.
"Many countries in Europe have been at considerably higher levels than what we are seeing now, so it's probably more about Sweden had a fairly late surge in this hopefully last third wave," state epidemiologist Anders Tegnell told a press conference, lamenting that the caseload was still higher than last summer.
The Scandinavian country has never imposed the type of lockdown seen elsewhere in Europe, controversially relying on mostly non-coercive measures. It has gradually tightened restrictions since November, including a ban on alcohol sales after 8pm and on public gatherings of more than eight people.
Since March, cafes, bars and restaurants have also been required to shut by 8.30pm.
The 14-day-notification for deaths however was much lower than many other countries, with 12 cases per million inhabitants. In comparison, Hungary and Croatia saw death rates of 133 and 128 per million inhabitants respectively.
The total number of deaths associated with Covid-19 since the start of pandemic reached 14,351 on Thursday, putting Sweden in the middle of the pack in Europe, although well ahead of Nordic neighbours Finland, Norway and Denmark.
Mortality statistics also show that Sweden had a lower than average excess mortality in 2020, compared to the rest of Europe.
The chart below from Our World in Data compares Sweden's infection rate to the EU average and the eight other countries covered by The Local, and you can add further countries to the chart for comparison.
Comments
See Also
The country had a 14-day-notification rate of 577 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.
Passing one million cases in early May, Sweden has been near the top, just after Cyprus, for weeks with new cases subsiding faster in the rest of Europe. Sweden saw a peak in mid-April with a 14-day-notification rate of over 800 cases per 100,000 people.
"Many countries in Europe have been at considerably higher levels than what we are seeing now, so it's probably more about Sweden had a fairly late surge in this hopefully last third wave," state epidemiologist Anders Tegnell told a press conference, lamenting that the caseload was still higher than last summer.
The Scandinavian country has never imposed the type of lockdown seen elsewhere in Europe, controversially relying on mostly non-coercive measures. It has gradually tightened restrictions since November, including a ban on alcohol sales after 8pm and on public gatherings of more than eight people.
Since March, cafes, bars and restaurants have also been required to shut by 8.30pm.
The 14-day-notification for deaths however was much lower than many other countries, with 12 cases per million inhabitants. In comparison, Hungary and Croatia saw death rates of 133 and 128 per million inhabitants respectively.
The total number of deaths associated with Covid-19 since the start of pandemic reached 14,351 on Thursday, putting Sweden in the middle of the pack in Europe, although well ahead of Nordic neighbours Finland, Norway and Denmark.
Mortality statistics also show that Sweden had a lower than average excess mortality in 2020, compared to the rest of Europe.
The chart below from Our World in Data compares Sweden's infection rate to the EU average and the eight other countries covered by The Local, and you can add further countries to the chart for comparison.
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.