Sweden has provoked reactions around the world for its treatment of the coronavirus.
As other countries face new cases of coronavirus, the latest figures from Sweden show that it is controlling the virus quickly.
"It's very promising that Sweden has reached these levels," state epidemiologist Anders Tegnell told reporters in Stockholm on Tuesday.
According to a Bloomberg report, the Swedish Health Agency says that since it reached its peak in late June, the infection rate has dropped sharply. This is in the midst of a period of increasing vaccine testing.
"The curves are going down and the curves for the seriously ill are starting to approach zero," Tegnell said.
Coronavirus cases are declining in Sweden
The development follows months of controversy over Sweden's decision to avoid a full closure. The unusual strategy coincided with a much higher mortality rate than anywhere else in the Nordic region. Per 100.000, virus deaths in Sweden have surpassed even those in the United States and Brazil.
On Tuesday, Sweden reported two new deaths, bringing the total to 5.702.
Masks
Tegnell also touched on the issue of the face mask, which the World Health Organization recommends that people use when social distance is not possible.
"With the number declining so fast in Sweden, we see no point in wearing a face mask in Sweden, not even on public transport," he said.
Tegnell has consistently argued that Sweden's approach is more sustainable than sudden closures imposed elsewhere. With the risk that the virus may be here for years, he says closing society completely is not a long-term option.
Meanwhile, many countries that believed they had brought the virus under control are now seeing a second wave. Tegnell described the developments as "worrying".
"The positive trend is reversed, with an increase in the number of cases, including in Spain, Romania and Belgium," he said.
Source: Sigmalive