Sweden has admitted its coronavirus immunity predictions were wrong as cases soar across the country

https://www.businessinsider.com/sweden-herd-immunity-second-wave-coronavirus-cases-hospitalisations-surge-2020-11

Thomas Colson

Nov. 13, 2020

Sweden's chief epidemiologist has admitted that the country is experiencing a second surge in coronavirus cases despite previously predicting that the number of infections in the autumn would be "quite low" due to the country's no-lockdown policy.

"In the autumn there will be a second wave. Sweden will have a high level of immunity and the number of cases will probably be quite low," Anders Tegnell told the Financial Times back in May.

However, the latest figures show Sweden is experiencing higher levels of infections, hospitalizations and deaths than its neighbours, relative to its population size, the Financial Times reported on Thursday.

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Hospitalizations have also increased dramatically, with over 1000 patients with COVID-19 being treated in hospitals, a 60% increase from last week. The figures were reported by state broadcaster STV and cited by the Guardian.

The death rate from coronavirus in Sweden is now one of the highest in the world when adjusted for population size.

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The Swedish government initially refused to adopt strict measures to tackle the coronavirus, relying only on voluntary guidance to try and curb the spread of infections.

However, the surge in infections has prompted the country to adopt harsher measures in recent weeks.

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