By Tara Rippin • Published: 26 May 2020 • 13:37
AS of this morning, Sweden has recorded 4,029 deaths and 33,843 confirmed infections. There are currently 24,843 active cases with 304 of these classed as “critical”.
Ninety per cent of Sweden’s fatalities have been aged 70 and over.
State epidemiologist Anders Tegnell stands by the decision not to impose a nationwide lockdown, saying the economic costs were not worth the health benefits.
Though he has admitted more protection could have been given to care homes.
However, despite Sweden’s approach, the country’s economy has still been hit hard as it marks its worst recession in 80 years, with GDP forecast to shrink by 7 per cent this year.
Sweden’s death rate stands at 399 per million inhabitants, far higher than its Nordic neighbours, Denmark with 97 per million, Finland (55) and Denmark (47).
But it is still better than the worst-hit European nations which did opt for full lockdown, including Spain at 615 per million inhabitants, and Britain and Italy, both with 542.
Rather than enforcing confinement, Swedes were asked to respect social distance and increase their personal hygiene such as hand-washing.
Schools have been kept open for those aged under 16, along with bars, cafes, restaurants and retail businesses.
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Tara Rippin is a reporter for Spain’s largest English-speaking newspaper, Euro Weekly News, and is responsible for the Costa Blanca region. She has been in journalism for more than 20 years, having worked for local newspapers in the Midlands, UK, before relocating to Spain in 1990. Since arriving, the mother-of-one has made her home on the Costa Blanca, while spending 18 months at the EWN head office in Fuengirola on the Costa del Sol. She loves being part of a community that has a wonderful expat and Spanish mix, and strives to bring the latest and most relevant news to EWN’s loyal and valued readers.
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