The state epidemiologist of Sweden has admitted that a stricter lockdown to restrict people indoors would have prevented the highest death toll during the coronavirus pandemic.
In a conversation with the local radio Sveriges, Andre Tegnell agreed with the host in accepting the early easing of lockdown, which has caused way too many deaths in the Scandinavian country.
Unfortunately, Sweden now has the highest per capita death rate in the world, four times higher than that of its Nordic neighbours.
The government had ignored advice from health experts and the country remained fully functional even after reaching up to the throat of the pandemic. Schools and businesses remained running and public places were open as usual - social gatherings of up to 50 people were also allowed.
Officials further recommended the people to practise social distancing and work from home if they willed to do so, but no set rules were laid out to dela with the crisis by the government.
“If we would encounter the same disease, with exactly what we know about it today, I think we would land midway between what Sweden did and what the rest of the world did,” said Mr Tegnell.
Earlier, the epidemiologist had defended Sweden’s approach and criticised the lockdowns imposed by other European countries, calling the closing of borders “ridiculous” and “counterproductive”.
In a conversation with the local radio Sveriges, Andre Tegnell agreed with the host in accepting the early easing of lockdown, which has caused way too many deaths in the Scandinavian country.
Unfortunately, Sweden now has the highest per capita death rate in the world, four times higher than that of its Nordic neighbours.
The government had ignored advice from health experts and the country remained fully functional even after reaching up to the throat of the pandemic. Schools and businesses remained running and public places were open as usual - social gatherings of up to 50 people were also allowed.
Officials further recommended the people to practise social distancing and work from home if they willed to do so, but no set rules were laid out to dela with the crisis by the government.
“If we would encounter the same disease, with exactly what we know about it today, I think we would land midway between what Sweden did and what the rest of the world did,” said Mr Tegnell.
Earlier, the epidemiologist had defended Sweden’s approach and criticised the lockdowns imposed by other European countries, calling the closing of borders “ridiculous” and “counterproductive”.