Coronavirus cases increase in Sweden after 'resistance' to complete 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 joinits European neighbors in imposing a lockdown.

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While schools, restaurants, bars andsalons 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''andcriticized for not imposing a strict lockdownenforced by law.

Herd immunityoccurs 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.

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 sayingit 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 fromJohns 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.