Sweden’s coronavirus death toll is approaching zero but the country’s leading epidemiologist has warned of “serious consequences” if the Delta variant spreads uncontrollably.
Our World in Data said the Nordic nation recorded an average of 0.1 Covid-19 deaths in the previous seven days. Its death toll peaked on December 31, 2020, when the seven-day average was 99.
That compares to Britain's highest seven-day average of 1,285 recorded on January 19.
Sweden's hands-off approach to infection control attracted attention especially in the early days of the pandemic.
The country, which has never ordered a lockdown, relied primarily on voluntary measures but limits on restaurant opening hours and the amount of people allowed at sports venues, shopping centres and shops were introduced.
As of Tuesday, 14,655 people had died from Covid-19 in Sweden, a country with a population of 10 million. Denmark, Finland and Norway - which each have about 5 million inhabitants - have recorded death tolls of 2,550, then 984 and 799 respectively.
Despite shunning lockdowns, Sweden began imposing limits on social interaction in November last year as the infection rate increased.
The toughest Covid restrictions included a limit of eight people for social gatherings, restaurant curfews and capacity controls at shopping centres, while school pupils and students over 16 switched to remote learning.
Mask-wearing was advised on public transport during rush hour but the recommendation was withdrawn in December last year.
Other restrictions were eased on July 1, allowing larger crowds at sports stadiums and restaurants.
Under a five-stage plan, all remaining Covid restrictions are to be eased from September at the earliest.
Anders Tegnell, Sweden’s chief epidemiologist, said there was still “a lot we don’t know” about the Delta strain and urged vigilance.
"There is a need for preparedness and attention everywhere,” he told Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet.
“One should not draw any conclusions from the fact that no sick people have been found in a municipality this week. It can lead to serious consequences if you drop your guard.”
He said cases of the Delta variant were highest among young people.
“The infectiousness seems to be very uneven – in some cases, one person infects a hundred people, then we have other occasions when an infected person does not infect anyone at all,” he said.
About 40 per cent of Sweden’s population is fully vaccinated against the virus.
In May, a German study found an early lockdown could have prevented about 40 per cent of Sweden’s coronavirus deaths in the first wave.
A Swedish inquiry found the elderly remained vulnerable as authorities underestimated the strength of the second wave.
The government said it would “ring-fence” the elderly from Covid-19 and let society build up herd immunity to the virus.
The plan backfired, however, as deaths in care homes escalated alongside surging community transmission.
In December, Sweden’s king apologised for the country’s response.
"I believe we have failed," Carl XVI Gustaf said. “We have had a large number of deaths and that is terrible. That is something that brings us all suffering."
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
SERIE A FIXTURES
Friday (UAE kick-off times)
Sassuolo v Bologna (11.45pm)
Saturday
Brescia v Torino (6pm)
Inter Milan v Verona (9pm)
Napoli v Genoa (11.45pm)
Sunday
Cagliari v Verona (3.30pm)
Udinese v SPAL (6pm)
Sampdoria v Atalanta (6pm)
Lazio v Lecce (6pm)
Parma v Roma (9pm)
Juventus v Milan (11.45pm)
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
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Heather, the Totality
Matthew Weiner,
Canongate
The Africa Institute 101
Housed on the same site as the original Africa Hall, which first hosted an Arab-African Symposium in 1976, the newly renovated building will be home to a think tank and postgraduate studies hub (it will offer master’s and PhD programmes). The centre will focus on both the historical and contemporary links between Africa and the Gulf, and will serve as a meeting place for conferences, symposia, lectures, film screenings, plays, musical performances and more. In fact, today it is hosting a symposium – 5-plus-1: Rethinking Abstraction that will look at the six decades of Frank Bowling’s career, as well as those of his contemporaries that invested social, cultural and personal meaning into abstraction.
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
Stormy seas
Weather warnings show that Storm Eunice is soon to make landfall. The videographer and I are scrambling to return to the other side of the Channel before it does. As we race to the port of Calais, I see miles of wire fencing topped with barbed wire all around it, a silent ‘Keep Out’ sign for those who, unlike us, aren’t lucky enough to have the right to move freely and safely across borders.
We set sail on a giant ferry whose length dwarfs the dinghies migrants use by nearly a 100 times. Despite the windy rain lashing at the portholes, we arrive safely in Dover; grateful but acutely aware of the miserable conditions the people we’ve left behind are in and of the privilege of choice.
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
