SWEDEN’S PM has told citizens to prepare for “thousands” of coronavirus deaths – but still refused to put the country on lockdown despite doctors’ pleas.
The liberal nation has so far shunned the tougher approaches of most of its neighbors, refusing to order pubs, restaurants and schools to close.
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Swedish PM Stefan Lofven said thousands will die from coronavirus (Credit: EPA
Crowds of Swedes soak up the sun in Malmo yesterday (Credit: AFP
The deadly bug has now taken root in the country, with 6, confirmed cases and deaths recorded so far.
And Swedish PM Stefan Lofven has now warned his countrymen they will soon face an explosion in the death toll.
He told the Dagens Nyheter newspaper: “We will have more seriously ill people who need intensive care and we will have significantly more deaths.
“We are facing thousands of deaths. We need to prepare for that. ”
Sweden has now reluctantly tightened some of its social distancing regulations after widespread criticism.
‘DON’T DRAMATISE’
It cut the numbers of people allowed to gather from
, and ordered bars and restaurants to offer table service only.
But despite the PM’s chilling warning, he still refused to order a full nationwide lockdown.
And he played down what critics have called the government’s “softer” approach when compared to other countries.
Lofven said: “I don’t think you ought to dramatise [the differences].
“We’re doing it in a somewhat different way. Sometimes that is because we are in different phases [of the pandemic]. ”
A couple hug in a busy restaurant in Stockholm, on Saturday Credit: AP: Associated Press
. Crowds of people were out at the shops in Stockholm on Saturday Credit: COPYRIGHT TT NYHETSBYR? N bars and restaurants are now limited to table service but can still open (Credit: Getty Images – Getty)
Lofven previously said a full lockdown was unnecessary as his government trusted Swedes to behave “like adults ” and socially distance if they were ill.
But the relaxed measures have raised alarm in the country’s medical community.
A petition signed by more than 2, doctors, scientists, and professors has called on the government to get tough and tighten restrictions .
Prof Cecilia Söderberg-Nauclér, a virus expert at the Karolinska Institute, said: “We’re not testing enough, we’re not tracking, we’re not isolating enough – we’ve let the virus loose.
“They are leading us to catastrophe.”
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However, the scientist leading Sweden’s lockdown battle yesterday said Britain’s lockdown goes too far .
Anders Tegnell, who studied at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, told the Mail on Sunday: “I am very skeptical of lockdowns altogether but if you ever do them, you should do them at an early stage.
“At certain times I suppose they can be useful, if you are unprepared and need more intensive care facilities, for example, but you are really just pushing the problem ahead of you.”
(4) Swedes going about their daily lives despite Europe being in lockdown (Credit: AFP or licensors
(4) (4) (A man wears a protective mask) as he visits the cherry blossom trees at Kungstradgarden in Stockholm
(Credit: AFP or licensors
(4) Shops have remained open in Sweden amid the coronavirus crisis Credit: AP: Associated Press
(4) ![]()
Public transport is running as normal in Sweden amid the outbreak (Credit: Getty Images – Getty ) CORONAVIRUS CRISIS – STAY IN THE KNOW )
Don’t miss the latest news and figures – and essential advice for you and your family.
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Crowds of Swedes soak up the sun in Malmo yesterday (Credit: AFP
The deadly bug has now taken root in the country, with 6, confirmed cases and deaths recorded so far.
And Swedish PM Stefan Lofven has now warned his countrymen they will soon face an explosion in the death toll.
He told the Dagens Nyheter newspaper: “We will have more seriously ill people who need intensive care and we will have significantly more deaths.
“We are facing thousands of deaths. We need to prepare for that. ”
Sweden has now reluctantly tightened some of its social distancing regulations after widespread criticism.
‘DON’T DRAMATISE’
It cut the numbers of people allowed to gather from
But despite the PM’s chilling warning, he still refused to order a full nationwide lockdown.
And he played down what critics have called the government’s “softer” approach when compared to other countries.
Lofven said: “I don’t think you ought to dramatise [the differences].
“We’re doing it in a somewhat different way. Sometimes that is because we are in different phases [of the pandemic]. ”
A couple hug in a busy restaurant in Stockholm, on Saturday Credit: AP: Associated Press
. Crowds of people were out at the shops in Stockholm on Saturday Credit: COPYRIGHT TT NYHETSBYR? N bars and restaurants are now limited to table service but can still open (Credit: Getty Images – Getty)
Lofven previously said a full lockdown was unnecessary as his government trusted Swedes to behave “like adults ” and socially distance if they were ill.
But the relaxed measures have raised alarm in the country’s medical community.
A petition signed by more than 2, doctors, scientists, and professors has called on the government to get tough and tighten restrictions .
Prof Cecilia Söderberg-Nauclér, a virus expert at the Karolinska Institute, said: “We’re not testing enough, we’re not tracking, we’re not isolating enough – we’ve let the virus loose.
“They are leading us to catastrophe.”
Give now to The Sun’s NHS appeal
BRITAIN’s four. million NHS staff are on the frontline in the battle against coronavirus.
But while they are helping save lives, who is there to help them?
The Sun has launched an appeal to raise £ 1MILLION for NHS workers.
The Who Cares Wins Appeal aims to get vital support to staff in their hour of need.
We have teamed up with NHS Charities Together in their urgent Covid – 96 Appeal to ensure the money gets to exactly who needs it.
The Sun is donating £ 100, and we would like YOU to help us raise a million pounds, to help THEM.
No matter how little you can spare, please donate today here
www. thesun.co.uk/whocareswinsappeal
![]()
BREAK FREE Lockdown ‘to end in June with staggered release of certain workers or areas’
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(VIRAL CRISIS) Boris Johnson ‘given oxygen’ after arriving in hospit al for coronavirus tests
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However, the scientist leading Sweden’s lockdown battle yesterday said Britain’s lockdown goes too far .
Anders Tegnell, who studied at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, told the Mail on Sunday: “I am very skeptical of lockdowns altogether but if you ever do them, you should do them at an early stage.
“At certain times I suppose they can be useful, if you are unprepared and need more intensive care facilities, for example, but you are really just pushing the problem ahead of you.”
(4) Swedes going about their daily lives despite Europe being in lockdown (Credit: AFP or licensors
(4) (4) (A man wears a protective mask) as he visits the cherry blossom trees at Kungstradgarden in Stockholm
(Credit: AFP or licensors
(4) Shops have remained open in Sweden amid the coronavirus crisis Credit: AP: Associated Press
(4) ![]()
Public transport is running as normal in Sweden amid the outbreak (Credit: Getty Images – Getty ) CORONAVIRUS CRISIS – STAY IN THE KNOW )
Don’t miss the latest news and figures – and essential advice for you and your family.
To receive The Sun’s Coronavirus newsletter in your inbox every tea time, sign up here . To follow us on Facebook, simply ‘Like’ our Coronavirus page . Get Britain’s best-selling newspaper delivered to your smartphone or tablet each day – find out more
. .
() Read More
Crowds of people were out at the shops in Stockholm on Saturday Credit: COPYRIGHT TT NYHETSBYR? N bars and restaurants are now limited to table service but can still open 
(Credit: Getty Images – GettyLofven previously said a full lockdown was unnecessary as his government trusted Swedes to behave “like adults ” and socially distance if they were ill.
But the relaxed measures have raised alarm in the country’s medical community.
A petition signed by more than 2, doctors, scientists, and professors has called on the government to get tough and tighten restrictions .
Prof Cecilia Söderberg-Nauclér, a virus expert at the Karolinska Institute, said: “We’re not testing enough, we’re not tracking, we’re not isolating enough – we’ve let the virus loose.
“They are leading us to catastrophe.”
Give now to The Sun’s NHS appeal
BRITAIN’s four. million NHS staff are on the frontline in the battle against coronavirus.
But while they are helping save lives, who is there to help them?
The Sun has launched an appeal to raise £ 1MILLION for NHS workers.
The Who Cares Wins Appeal aims to get vital support to staff in their hour of need.
We have teamed up with NHS Charities Together in their urgent Covid – 96 Appeal to ensure the money gets to exactly who needs it.
The Sun is donating £ 100, and we would like YOU to help us raise a million pounds, to help THEM.
No matter how little you can spare, please donate today here
www. thesun.co.uk/whocareswinsappeal
![]()
BREAK FREE Lockdown ‘to end in June with staggered release of certain workers or areas’
![]()
CHINA ‘LIES’ China costing lives and hindering coronavirus fight with its lies, say MPs
(Exclusive) () ROO GONE WALKIES Cops tell off Wayne Rooney for breaking virus lockdown with Kyle Walker
![]()
(VIRAL CRISIS) Boris Johnson ‘given oxygen’ after arriving in hospit al for coronavirus tests
![]()
![]()
STAY AT HOME
Police get powers to fine Brits up to £ for being outside homes
[of the pandemic]
‘DISGUSTING’ Couple caught ‘having sex’ in London park as they flout coronavirus lockdown
However, the scientist leading Sweden’s lockdown battle yesterday said Britain’s lockdown goes too far .
Anders Tegnell, who studied at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, told the Mail on Sunday: “I am very skeptical of lockdowns altogether but if you ever do them, you should do them at an early stage.
“At certain times I suppose they can be useful, if you are unprepared and need more intensive care facilities, for example, but you are really just pushing the problem ahead of you.”
(4) Swedes going about their daily lives despite Europe being in lockdown (Credit: AFP or licensors
(4) (4) (A man wears a protective mask) as he visits the cherry blossom trees at Kungstradgarden in Stockholm
(Credit: AFP or licensors
(4) Shops have remained open in Sweden amid the coronavirus crisis Credit: AP: Associated Press
(4) ![]()
Public transport is running as normal in Sweden amid the outbreak (Credit: Getty Images – Getty ) CORONAVIRUS CRISIS – STAY IN THE KNOW )
Don’t miss the latest news and figures – and essential advice for you and your family.
To receive The Sun’s Coronavirus newsletter in your inbox every tea time, sign up here . To follow us on Facebook, simply ‘Like’ our Coronavirus page . Get Britain’s best-selling newspaper delivered to your smartphone or tablet each day – find out more
. .
() Read More
BREAK FREE Lockdown ‘to end in June with staggered release of certain workers or areas’
CHINA ‘LIES’ China costing lives and hindering coronavirus fight with its lies, say MPs
(Exclusive) () ROO GONE WALKIES Cops tell off Wayne Rooney for breaking virus lockdown with Kyle Walker
![]()
(VIRAL CRISIS) Boris Johnson ‘given oxygen’ after arriving in hospit al for coronavirus tests
![]()
![]()
STAY AT HOME
Police get powers to fine Brits up to £ for being outside homes
[of the pandemic]
‘DISGUSTING’ Couple caught ‘having sex’ in London park as they flout coronavirus lockdown
However, the scientist leading Sweden’s lockdown battle yesterday said Britain’s lockdown goes too far .
Anders Tegnell, who studied at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, told the Mail on Sunday: “I am very skeptical of lockdowns altogether but if you ever do them, you should do them at an early stage.
“At certain times I suppose they can be useful, if you are unprepared and need more intensive care facilities, for example, but you are really just pushing the problem ahead of you.”
(4) Swedes going about their daily lives despite Europe being in lockdown (Credit: AFP or licensors
(4) (4) (A man wears a protective mask) as he visits the cherry blossom trees at Kungstradgarden in Stockholm
(Credit: AFP or licensors
(4) Shops have remained open in Sweden amid the coronavirus crisis Credit: AP: Associated Press
(4) ![]()
Public transport is running as normal in Sweden amid the outbreak (Credit: Getty Images – Getty ) CORONAVIRUS CRISIS – STAY IN THE KNOW )
Don’t miss the latest news and figures – and essential advice for you and your family.
To receive The Sun’s Coronavirus newsletter in your inbox every tea time, sign up here . To follow us on Facebook, simply ‘Like’ our Coronavirus page . Get Britain’s best-selling newspaper delivered to your smartphone or tablet each day – find out more
. .
() Read More
(VIRAL CRISIS) Boris Johnson ‘given oxygen’ after arriving in hospit al for coronavirus tests
STAY AT HOME
Police get powers to fine Brits up to £ for being outside homes
‘DISGUSTING’ Couple caught ‘having sex’ in London park as they flout coronavirus lockdown
However, the scientist leading Sweden’s lockdown battle yesterday said Britain’s lockdown goes too far .
Anders Tegnell, who studied at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, told the Mail on Sunday: “I am very skeptical of lockdowns altogether but if you ever do them, you should do them at an early stage.
“At certain times I suppose they can be useful, if you are unprepared and need more intensive care facilities, for example, but you are really just pushing the problem ahead of you.”
(4) Swedes going about their daily lives despite Europe being in lockdown (Credit: AFP or licensors
(Credit: AFP or licensors
(4) Shops have remained open in Sweden amid the coronavirus crisis Credit: AP: Associated Press
(4) Public transport is running as normal in Sweden amid the outbreakDon’t miss the latest news and figures – and essential advice for you and your family.
To receive The Sun’s Coronavirus newsletter in your inbox every tea time, sign up here . To follow us on Facebook, simply ‘Like’ our Coronavirus page . Get Britain’s best-selling newspaper delivered to your smartphone or tablet each day – find out more
() Read More
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