Sweden has revealed&nbsp;that despite adopting more relaxed measures to curb COVID-19, merely&nbsp;7.3 per cent&nbsp;of Stockholm’s inhabitants had developed Covid-19 antibodies by the end of April, according to recent study.

The study carried out by Sweden's Public Health Agency determined the potential 'herd immunity' in the population, based on 1,118 tests carried out in one week.

The research&nbsp;showed&nbsp;the country&nbsp;is well below the 70-90 per cent&nbsp;needed to create herd immunity&nbsp;in a population.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-cases-increase-in-sweden-after-resistance-to-complete-lockdown-295355">Coronavirus cases increase in Sweden after 'resistance' to complete lockdown</a>

Herd immunity&nbsp;occurs when a large enough percentage of a population becomes immune to a virus, either through infection or vaccination, thus preventing further spread throughout the group.

In April, officials estimated&nbsp;one third of Stockholm residents&nbsp;would have developed antibodies to the coronavirus by early May, subsequently suggesting that the capital could reach herd immunity of between 40 per cent&nbsp;and 60 per cent&nbsp;by the middle of June.

Sweden’s state epidemiologist, Anders Tegnell,said ''it means either the calculations made by the agency and myself are quite wrong, which is possible, but if that’s the case it’s surprising they are so wrong. Or more people have been infected than developed.antibodies.''

The country&nbsp;has adopted a different strategy to other Nordic nations during the pandemic, choosing to avoid a lockdown and keeping most schools, restaurants, salons and bars open. It did, however, ask people to refrain from making long journeys, placing an emphasis on personal responsibility.

The strategy was criticized by Swedish researchers early on, who said that attempting to create herd immunity had low support. But the authorities denied that achieving herd immunity was their goal.

Sweden has revealed that despite adopting more relaxed measures to curb COVID-19, merely 7.3 per cent of Stockholm’s inhabitants had developed Covid-19 antibodies by the end of April, according to recent study.

Sweden has revealed that despite adopting more relaxed measures to curb COVID-19, merely 7.3 per cent of Stockholm’s inhabitants had developed Covid-19 antibodies by the end of April, according to recent study. The study carried out by Sweden's Public Health Agency determined the potential 'herd immunity' in the population, based on 1,118 tests carried out in one week. The research showed the country is well below the 70-90 per cent needed to create herd immunity in a population. Also read: Coronavirus cases increase in Sweden after 'resistance' to complete lockdown Herd immunity occurs when a large enough percentage of a population becomes immune to a virus, either through infection or vaccination, thus preventing further spread throughout the group. In April, officials estimated one third of Stockholm residents would have developed antibodies to the coronavirus by early May, subsequently suggesting that the capital could reach herd immunity of between 40 per cent and 60 per cent by the middle of June. Sweden’s state epidemiologist, Anders Tegnell,said ''it means either the calculations made by the agency and myself are quite wrong, which is possible, but if that’s the case it’s surprising they are so wrong. Or more people have been infected than developed.antibodies.'' The country has adopted a different strategy to other Nordic nations during the pandemic, choosing to avoid a lockdown and keeping most schools, restaurants, salons and bars open. It did, however, ask people to refrain from making long journeys, placing an emphasis on personal responsibility. The strategy was criticized by Swedish researchers early on, who said that attempting to create herd immunity had low support. But the authorities denied that achieving herd immunity was their goal.

Sweden's 'herd immunity' policy fails; falls short on required antibodies

While Sweden claims that its resistance to lockdown has worked, the country's coronavirus data has exposed the loopholes its strategy to curb Covid-19 pandemic.

The country has been an outlier and did not join&nbsp;its European neighbors in imposing a lockdown.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/when-will-coronavirus-end-in-us-uk-france-india-study-predicts-dates-month-295324">When will COVID-19 end in US, UK, France, India? Study predicts dates &amp; month</a>

While schools, restaurants, bars and&nbsp;salons were shut down in other Nordic countries such as Denmark, Norway and Finland,&nbsp;Sweden refused to walk in their steps.

It was accused of creating&nbsp;''herd immunities''&nbsp;and&nbsp;criticized for not imposing a strict lockdown&nbsp;enforced by law.

Herd immunity&nbsp;occurs when a large enough percentage of a population becomes immune to a virus, either through infection or vaccination, thus preventing further spread throughout the group.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eu-leaders-agree-to-mobilise-eu1-trillion-as-covid-19-rescue-plan-294408" hreflang="en">EU leaders agree to mobilise €1 trillion as Covid-19 rescue plan</a>

Swedish Minister for Health and Social Affairs,&nbsp;Lena Hallengren said,&nbsp;"One of the main concerns now in Sweden is to strengthen the protection for those living in care homes for older people."

She also justified the measures taken by saying&nbsp;it was still "far too early to draw any firm conclusions as to the effectiveness of the measures taken in Sweden."

However, as a result of the controversial approach adopted by the country,&nbsp;the death toll in Sweden has now risen significantly higher than many other countries in Europe, reaching more than 21 per 100,000 people, according to figures from&nbsp;Johns Hopkins University.

By contrast, Denmark has recorded more than seven deaths per 100,000 people, and both Norway and Finland less than four.

While Sweden is still struggling to keep a check on its virus cases, Denmark and Norway also have even begun easing restrictions in their respective lockdowns.

While Sweden claims that its resistance to lockdown has worked, the country's coronavirus data has exposed the loopholes its strategy to curb Covid-19 pandemic. The country has been an outlier and did not join its European neighbors in imposing a lockdown.

While Sweden claims that its resistance to lockdown has worked, the country's coronavirus data has exposed the loopholes its strategy to curb Covid-19 pandemic. The country has been an outlier and did not join its European neighbors in imposing a lockdown. Also read: When will COVID-19 end in US, UK, France, India? Study predicts dates & month While schools, restaurants, bars and salons were shut down in other Nordic countries such as Denmark, Norway and Finland, Sweden refused to walk in their steps. It was accused of creating ''herd immunities'' and criticized for not imposing a strict lockdown enforced by law. Herd immunity occurs when a large enough percentage of a population becomes immune to a virus, either through infection or vaccination, thus preventing further spread throughout the group. Also read: EU leaders agree to mobilise €1 trillion as Covid-19 rescue plan Swedish Minister for Health and Social Affairs, Lena Hallengren said, "One of the main concerns now in Sweden is to strengthen the protection for those living in care homes for older people." She also justified the measures taken by saying it was still "far too early to draw any firm conclusions as to the effectiveness of the measures taken in Sweden." However, as a result of the controversial approach adopted by the country, the death toll in Sweden has now risen significantly higher than many other countries in Europe, reaching more than 21 per 100,000 people, according to figures from Johns Hopkins University. By contrast, Denmark has recorded more than seven deaths per 100,000 people, and both Norway and Finland less than four. While Sweden is still struggling to keep a check on its virus cases, Denmark and Norway also have even begun easing restrictions in their respective lockdowns.

Coronavirus cases increase in Sweden after 'resistance' to complete lockdown

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Sweden's 'herd immunity' policy fails; falls short on required antibodies

Coronavirus cases increase in Sweden after 'resistance' to complete lockdown