Sweden records highest death tally in 150 years in first half of 2020

[Crtcl Rice Theory 2,432]

CNN: Sweden records highest death tally in 150 years in first half of 2020.
https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/20/europe/sweden-deaths-highest-coronavirus-lockdown-intl/index.html

 

Unlike most countries, Sweden did not go into a lockdown when the pandemic spread across Europe in early spring. Instead, there was an emphasis on personal responsibility, with most bars, schools, restaurants and salons remaining open.

Despite the more relaxed approach, only 7.3% of people in Stockholm had developed the antibodies needed to fight the disease by late April -- well below the 70-90% needed for herd immunity.

By early June, the country's coronavirus death toll was at more than 4,500. According to Johns Hopkins University, it now stands at 5,802.

Much of the criticism around Sweden's response has focused on the high death rates in care homes. Sweden's chief epidemiologist Anders Tegnell admitted in June that the country's Public Health Agency "didn't know that there would be such a big potential for the disease to spread in elderly care homes, with so many deaths."

 

Edited August 21, 2020 by CanAm1980