Sweden leads Europe’s COVID-19 deaths per capita over last seven days

People walk along the main pedestrian shopping street in Stockholm, Wednesday, March 25, 2020. The streets of Sweden's capital are quiet but not deserted. Sweden has some of the most relaxed measures in Europe in the fight against the coronavirus outbreak. So far, only gatherings of over 500 people are banned and elementary and middle schools remain open. The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people, but for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death. (AP Photo/David Keyton)

Sweden has the highest number of deaths in Europe per capita from the COVID-19 disease over the last seven days, data showed.

The Scandinavian nation adopted a more open strategy in combating the virus than other European countries, as most schools, restaurant and businesses remained open during the pandemic.

While deaths are on the decline Sweden had 6.25 deaths per million inhabitants per day in a rolling seven day average between May 12 and May 19, according to Ourworldinsata.org. That was the highest in Europe and just above the United Kingdom, which had 5.75 deaths per million, Reuters reports.

Sweden’s strategy, mostly based on voluntary measures regarding social distancing and basic hygiene, has been criticised by some as a dangerous experiment with peoples lives but also been put forward as a future model by the WHO.

Sweden’s open strategy seems to have softened the blow on the economy, with growth shrinking much less than in Denmark and Norway in the first quarter.

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