PANDEMIC

Sweden records highest coronavirus infection rate in Europe

State epidemiologist Anders Tegnell of the Public Health Agency of Sweden talks to reporters. Photo: Claudio Bresciani/Reuters/file photo.

The Nomad Today/dpa

20 de May de 2021 (21:41 h.)

The Scandinavian country has recorded 577 new cases per 100,000 residents in the past 14 days.

Sweden has moved to the top of the list of countries in Europe in terms of the highest rate of new coronavirus infections, according to the latest numbers from EU health officials.

As of Thursday, the Scandinavian country - whose unique strategy in dealing with the pandemic with relatively few restrictions received much international attention - has recorded 577 new cases per 100,000 residents in the past 14 days - the highest of all the countries in the European Economic Area.

Lithuania trails slightly, registering a rate of 563, while Cyprus is third highest at 522, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).

Neighbour Finland is meanwhile at 53.

However, despite the high incidence rate, Sweden's virus-related death toll has been low: About 12 deaths per million.