Coronavirus: Sweden records highest weekly deaths per capita in Europe

Picture taken on April 29, 2020 shows a memorial in Stockholm's Mynttorget square in memory of loved ones lost to the new coronavirus featuring candles, flowers and handwritten notes, some of which express frustration over Sweden's softer approach to curbing the illness. (Photo by Jonathan NACKSTRAND / AFP) (Photo by JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP via Getty Images)
A memorial in Stockholm in memory of people lost to coronavirus. (Getty)

Sweden has recorded the highest number of coronavirus deaths per capita in Europe over the past week, it has been revealed.

Data collected by Ourworldinsata.org showed that the Scandinavian nation, which has been criticised for its relaxed lockdown rules, had 6.25 deaths per million inhabitants per day between 12 and 19 May.

That figure was the highest in Europe and just above the UK, which had 5.75 deaths per million.

Rather than declaring a full lockdown, Sweden has adopted a mix of legislation and recommendations in response to the virus that foreign leaders and media have claimed is too soft in its approach.

People sit in a restaurant in Stockholm on May 8, 2020, amid the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Jonathan NACKSTRAND / AFP) (Photo by JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP via Getty Images)
People sit in a restaurant in Stockholm. (Getty)

Despite its high death rate over the past week, Sweden is still far behind the UK, Italy and Spain in terms of overall death toll.

However, it is also much higher than Nordic neighbours Denmark, Norway and Finland.

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The current Swedish strategy is based on voluntary measures regarding social distancing and basic hygiene, and is seen to rely on “herd immunity” – making sure as many people as possible develop antibodies to fight coronavirus.

Some have criticised it as a dangerous experiment with peoples lives but the strategy has also been put forward as a future model by the WHO.

Pedestrians wearing protective face masks walk in Stockholm on May 4, 2020 during the new coronavirus Covid-19 pandemic. (Photo by Jonathan NACKSTRAND / AFP) (Photo by JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP via Getty Images)
Pedestrians wearing protective face masks walk in Stockholm. (Getty)

The country’s prime minister insisted on Friday last week that Sweden had not adopted a "business as usual" approach to the coronavirus.

Stefan Lofven rejected that narrative, saying: "The image that Sweden is doing so totally different than other countries. That's not the case."

He said that the Swedish model for managing society was built on trust between citizens – who had "a responsibility to do the right thing" – and lawmakers and other authorities.

"Life is not carrying on as normal in Sweden. It is not business as usual."

Sweden, whose population is around twice that of other Nordic countries, has no plans currently to ease its coronavirus regime, Lofven said.

"This fight against COVID-19 is a marathon and the measures have therefore been chosen because we strongly believe they are viable for the long haul," he said.

While there was "no one-size-fits-all response" to the pandemic, he said better co-operation was needed as countries started to ease lockdown curbs.

"Strong EU co-operation is key now to fighting the crisis, to handling the health issues and the economic consequences. The global response also needs to be stronger," he said.

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