The milestone of 6,000 coronavirus deaths passed in Sweden this Thursday, November 5, 2020 -

Dalibor Gluck / AP / SIPA

The epidemic "is rapidly evolving in the wrong direction," Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven admitted Thursday, who himself confined himself as a precaution with his wife after being exposed to a contact case with the coronavirus.

On Thursday, more than 4,000 cases - a record level - and five additional deaths were recorded in the Nordic country following a less strict strategy against the coronavirus since the start of the epidemic.

With 33 dead in two days, the number of deaths has now passed the 6,002 mark.

No containment or restriction measures

The incidence rate of the virus, that is, the number of new cases reported to the population, has increased by 146%, according to data from the World Health Organization (WHO).

Unlike the measures imposed widely elsewhere in Europe, Sweden has pursued a different strategy based on recommendations, without containment and almost without coercive measures.

After a first wave which resulted in a heavy toll (more than 5,000 dead), the country then had good results between July and mid-October.

The number of cases has since skyrocketed and the death curve has also started to rise in recent days.

New, stricter regional recommendations

Faced with this outbreak, the health authorities have introduced new, more stringent regional recommendations, including limiting contact and avoiding closed places.

After several regions last week, two more were added this Thursday.

Half of the 21 Swedish regions are now affected by these new instructions.

In neighboring Denmark, also facing a second wave, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and two-thirds of her government have also confined themselves after the positive case of a minister.

A first test of the head of government turned out to be negative, but she decided to remain in solitary confinement pending a second confirmatory test, her cabinet said on Wednesday evening.

Several other ministers will also be able to resume their normal activities after negative tests.

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