Sweden recorded its deadliest week of the 21st century after controversially resisting coronavirus lockdown measures, according to a report.
At least 2,505 Swedes died between April 6 and April 12, amounting to 358 fatalities per day, Swedish outlet The Local reported.
“It’s important to clearly state that these are preliminary statistics, and that the death toll, especially for the most recent weeks, will be revised upward,” said Tomas Johansson of Statistics Sweden, a government agency that compiled the figures.
The recent spike in fatalities comes as the country refused to implement containment measures to stop the spread of the virus.
The government has called for citizens to hold themselves accountable for social distancing instead of ordering lockdowns, Agence France-Presse reported.
“The authorities and the government stupidly did not believe that the epidemic would reach Sweden at all,” Bo Lundback, professor of epidemiology at the University of Gothenburg, told the outlet.
Sweden has recorded more than 19,600 confirmed cases of COVID-19 as of Tuesday afternoon, resulting in 2,355 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University. By comparison, Sweden’s Nordic neighbours — Denmark, Norway and Finland — have recorded just 434, 206 and 199 deaths, respectively, as of Tuesday afternoon.
By Jackie Salo
Source: nypost.com
