Sweden, no sign of herd immunity containing the coronavirus

The citizens Swedes have been more exposed to the virus than its neighbors in the Nordic region, and one in three Stockholm residents who have been tested have antibodies, according to figures released this week. It happens after the country will choose not to implement containment measures, preferring to rely on voluntary measures.

“The issue of herd immunity is complicated,” he said. Anders TegnellSweden’s current state epidemiologist at a press conference in Stockholm on Tuesday. “We do not see signs of immunity in the population which is slowing the infection at the moment,” he lamented.

“The fact that a vaccine is only a few months away should not be taken as a sign of neglect with the measures.”

Tegnell had already mentioned that collective immunity is difficult to quantify and even official figures questioned. Swedish officials have made it clear that immunity is not a political goal, but the country’s exposure to the virus makes it an obvious test to test the theory.

OECD study

In a recent study by Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Sweden is regularly ranked among the most affected countries in Europe, in terms of infection rate and relative mortality from Covid-19. It was also the slowest to contain the spread.

Coronavirus: How is the Swedish anti-quarantine model

Sweden was recently forced to readjust its strategy against the virus after the rate of daily cases will exceed 7,000. The Prime Minister, Stefan Lofven, described this month as an “unprecedented” measure, and ruled that Swedes will no longer be able to meet in public in large groups of eight people. The the sale of alcohol is now also prohibited after 10 of the night.

In a rare televised address, Lofven begged his compatriots to do more on Sunday. “The health and lives of people are still in danger, and this danger is increasing,” he said.

WHO warns there will be a third wave of Covid in Europe

The vaccine

The new restrictions come amid warnings that Swedish intensive care beds are filling up quickly. Meanwhile, the country’s authorities are warning do not place too much responsibility on a possible future vaccine.

The pandemic does not stop: new waves bring the number of cases to 52 million

“We are still seeing an increase in the number of patients who need intensive care and attention,” he said. Thomas linden, head of the department of the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare, at the briefing on Tuesday. “The fact that a vaccine is only a few months away should not be taken as a sign of neglect with the measures,” he said.

In turn, he said that “in a third wave, the healthcare system will be even more strained than it has been so far“.