While the Scandinavian country had so far opted for collective immunity in order to defeat the virus, the country has decided to put in place strict measures in the face of the sharp rise in Covid-19 cases.
Stricter measures in Sweden
Sweden, a country of 10.3 million inhabitants, is facing a meteoric increase in contaminations and deaths, with in particular 177,000 cases of Covid-19 and 6,164 deaths. The country has gone from 600 new cases a day to more than 4,000 in a matter of weeks. Hospital services fear saturation, especially since admissions to intensive care are on the rise with an average of 20 admissions per day. Consequently, Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven announced the implementation of measures, which is “unprecedented in the modern history” of the country. From November 24, it will now be prohibited to make visits to the Ephad in Stockholm and Gothenburg, as well as to publicly assemble with more than 8 people. The sale of alcohol will be prohibited from 10 p.m. Use of public transport and gyms is strongly discouraged. To curb the spread of the coronavirus, these new restrictions should last at least 4 weeks.
In the spring, the Prime Minister categorically refused confinement, wearing a mask or closing businesses. He was convinced that self-discipline (teleworking, social distancing, hand washing) would make it possible to defeat the Covid without going through strict measures as these European neighbors did. He is now imploring residents to follow the rules: “Don’t go to the gym, don’t go to the library, don’t have dinner parties or house parties. Cancel everything. And don’t try to circumvent ”the recommendations.
The failure of collective immunity
Sweden had surprised with the decision not to confine its population in March, a strategy against all European ones. Having chosen to adopt the strategy of collective immunity, the country was strongly criticized and then admired when the country came to control the epidemic this summer. However, the country seems to have changed its mind in the face of the new contaminations. This acquired immunity would be four times lower than expected.
According to a specialist from the Public Health Agency, forecasts indicated the absence of a 2nd wave, thanks to an immunity rate which should be higher in the Swedish population than in confined populations. According to its April estimates, 40% of Stockholm’s population should have developed antibodies by May after infection. However, only 11.4% of the inhabitants of Stockholm currently have them, 6.3% for Gothenburg and 7.1% for Sweden as a whole according to studies published on September 3 by the Agency.
