On Tuesday, the milestone of a thousand deaths out of a total of some 11,500 cases of coronavirus infection was crossed in the Scandinavian kingdom, an unrivaled mortality compared to that observed in Finland, Denmark or Norway. "The preparation was not good enough," said Prime Minister Stefan Löfven on Saturday.
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Stockholm has ruled out placing its population in solitary confinement
How did we get here? For Bo Lundbäck, professor of epidemiology at the University of Gothenburg (west), "the authorities and the government have foolishly believed that the epidemic would not reach Sweden at all". Unlike other Nordic countries which have adopted a semi-containment strategy, Stockholm has ruled out placing its population in solitary confinement, considering the drastic measures not effective enough to justify their impact on society.
Only major constraints, gatherings of more than 50 people were prohibited, as well as visits to retirement homes. For the rest, the government appealed to civics, asking everyone to "take responsibility" and follow the health recommendations. Despite some perplexity at home and abroad, the government continues to follow the recommendations of the Public Health Agency. A confidence granted to the health authorities which is not unanimous.
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"Sweden has been badly prepared, if not at all prepared," criticizes Bo Lundbäck. With 21 other researchers, the epidemiologist signed Tuesday in the daily Dagens Nyheter a forum for vitriol to demand "swift and radical measures", including a closure of schools and restaurants.
Seniors and immigrants on the front line
For their part, health authorities continue to promote a long-term strategy, stressing that containment only works for short periods. Sweden deplored 119 Covid-19 deaths per million inhabitants on Wednesday, according to the statistical data collection site Worldometer. In Denmark, this figure was 53, in Norway 27 and in Finland 12.
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The Public Health Agency announced last week that at least 40% of the deaths recorded in the region of Stockholm, epicenter of the epidemic in Sweden, occurred in establishments welcoming the elderly. Despite health measures, half of the retirement homes located in the capital are today affected by the virus and a third of the country's municipalities have suspected or confirmed cases of coronavirus in residences for the elderly.
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Unlike neighboring Norway, which says it sees "no over-representation among people born abroad", according to a study published last week, the disadvantaged districts of Stockholm, where the majority of people from immigrant background live, are up to three times more affected by the epidemic than the rest of the capital.