Sweden’s controversial COVID-19 strategy: lessons from higher mortality rates

KevinMD January 20, 2025
P. Dileep Kumar, MD, MBA

Sweden is being touted as an example of a successful fight against COVID-19 without imposing strict social isolation measures. While it is true that Sweden was one of the few countries that did not impose severe lockdown protocols and procedures, how did Sweden fare regarding various COVID-19 outcomes?

First of all, it is not true that Sweden took a totally relaxed approach to COVID-19 by keeping all establishments open throughout the pandemic. Swedes were indeed less rigid in their approach at the beginning of the pandemic. However, after a series of local outbreaks, mask-wearing was made more compulsory during the later stages of the pandemic.

Sweden’s initial approach was in stark contrast to other countries in Europe and its Nordic...

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