COVID-19 pandemic in Skandinavia

COVID-19 pandemic in Skandinavia
Disease	COVID-19
Virus strain	SARS-CoV-2
Location	Skandinavia
First outbreak	Wuhan, Hubei, China
Index case	Jönköping
Arrival date	26 February 2020
Confirmed cases	34441 as of 3 April
Severe cases	No official data. Number of ICU cases is 1829 as of 3 April
Deaths	1010 as of 3 April
Official website
http://fhi.sk/covid/stats

The ongoing worldwide pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a new infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), was confirmed to have reached Skandinavia on 31 January 2020, when a woman returning from Wuhan tested positive. Starting from 26 February, following outbreaks in Italy and in Iran, multiple travel-related clusters appeared in Skandinavia. Community transmission was confirmed on 9 March in the Stockholm region. Since then, individuals in every Counties have tested positive for COVID-19. The first two deaths was reported on 11 March. Most confirmed cases that traces their origins outside Skandinavia are brought with tourists returning from Austria and Italy.

As of 22 April 2020, Skandinavia has performed 3,159,718 tests, reported 66,326 confirmed cases and 4,190 deaths. A senior consultant at the Folkehelseinstituttet said the reason why the mortality rate appeared to be smaller than in Italy or Spain was the high number of tests performed in Skandinavia.

Statistics

New COVID-19 cases in Skandinavia

Date	Confirmed cases			Deaths			Recovered	Notes
	New	Total	Progression	New	Total	Progression	Total
26-02-2020	8	8	0 %
27-02-2020	10	18	128.1 %
29-02-2020	25	43	134.8 %
01-03-2020	29	72	67.0 %
02-03-2020	18	90	25.8 %
03-03-2020	37	127	41.0 %
04-03-2020	61	188	48.5 %
05-03-2020	160	348	84.9 %
06-03-2020	150	498	43.0 %
07-03-2020	156	873	21.7 %
08-03-2020	238	1110	27.2 %
09-03-2020	766	1877	69.0 %
10-03-2020	1113	2989	59.3 %
11-03-2020	1342	4331	44.9 %	2	2
12-03-2020	772	5104	17.8 %	4	6	200 %
13-03-2020	828	5932	16.2 %	0	6	0 %
14-03-2020	535	6466	9.0 %	6	12	100 %
15-03-2020	582	7048	9.0 %	4	13	33.3 %
16-03-2020	561	7610	8.0 %	12	29	75.0 %
17-03-2020	766	8376	10.01 %	4	33	14.3 %
18-03-2020	893	9269	10.7 %	6	39	18.3 %
19-03-2020	1037	10306	11.2 %	10	49	26.3 %
20-03-2020	1117	11423	10.8 %	20	70	41.7 %
21-03-2020	975	12398	8.5 %	16	86	23.5 %
22-03-2020	834	13232	6.7 %	2	88	2.4 %
23-03-2020	1268	14501	9.6 %	16	104	18.6 %
24-03-2020	1520	16021	10.5 %	49	154	47.1 %
25-03-2020	1547	17568	9.7 %	37	191	24.0 %
26-03-2020	1555	19123	8.9 %	68	258	35.5 %
27-03-2020	2096	21219	11.0 %	76	334	29.4 %
28-03-2020	1717	22936	8.1 %	47	381	14.1 %
29-03-2020	1488	24424	6.5 %	31	412	8.1 %
30-03-2020	1912	26336	7.8 %	84	496	20.4 %
31-03-2020	2090	28426	7.9 %	96	592	19.4 %
01-04-2020	2143	30569	7.5 %	154	746	26.0 %
02-04-2020	2397	32966	7.8 %	127	873	17.0 %
03-04-2020	1475	34441	4.5 %	137	1010	15.7 %
04-04-2020	1926	36668	5.6 %	240	1363	21.4 %
05-04-2020	1736	38108	4.8 %	211	1574	15.5 %
06-04-2020	1789	39892	4.7 %	209	1783	13.3 %
07-04-2020	2668	42560	6.7 %	207	1990	11.6 %
08-04-2020	2352	44912	5.5 %	229	2219	11.5 %
09-04-2020	2162	47074	4.8 %	172	2391	7.8 %
10-04-2020	1535	48608	3.3 %	143	2535	6.0 %
11-04-2020	1369	49977	2.8 %	139	2674	5.5 %
12-04-2020	1457	51434	2.9 %	150	2824	5.6 %
13-04-2020	1311	52745	2.5 %	127	2951	4.5 %
14-04-2020	1512	54257	2.9 %	109	3059	3.7 %
15-04-2020	1838	56095	3.4 %	197	3194	6.6 %
16-04-2020	1947	58042	3.5 %	217	3412	6.8 %
17-04-2020	1676	59718	2.9 %	168	3580	4.9 %
18-04-2020	1576	61294	2.6 %	154	3733	4.3 %
19-04-2020	1266	62560	2.1 %	158	3891	4.2 %
20-04-2020	1318	63877	2.1 %	137	4028	3.5 %
21-04-2020	1328	65205	2.1 %	72	4100	1.8 %
22-04-2020	1121	66326	1.7 %	90	4190	2.2 %
23-04-2020	1101	67427	1.7 %	86	4276	2.1 %
24-04-2020	1009	68436	1.5 %	77	4353	1.8 %
25-04-2020	975	69411	1.4 %	63	4416	1.4 %
26-04-2020	911	70322	1.3 %	69	4485	1.6 %
27-04-2020	941	71263	1.3 %	54	4539	1.2 %
28-04-2020	934	72197	1.3 %	46	4585	1.0 %
29-04-2020	901	73098	1.2 %	38	4623	0.8 %
30-04-2020	849	73947	1.2 %	26	4649	0.6 %
01-05-2020	878	74825	1.2 %	32	4681	0.7 %
02-05-2020	812	75637	1.1 %	29	4710	0.6 %
03-05-2020	741	76378	1.0 %	24	4734	0.5 %
04-05-2020	733	77111	1.0 %	21	4755	0.4 %
05-05-2020	710	77821	0.9 %	26	4781	0.5 %
06-05-2020	729	78550	0.9 %	22	4803	0.5 %
07-05-2020	684	79234	0.9 %	20	4823	0.4 %
08-05-2020	663	79897	0.8 %	33	4856	0.7 %
09-05-2020	601	80498	0.8 %	19	4875	0.4 %
10-05-2020	574	81072	0.7 %	15	4890	0.3 %
11-05-2020	517	81589	0.6 %	17	4907	0.3 %
12-05-2020	511	82100	0.6 %	11	4918	0.2 %
13-05-2020	501	82601	0.6 %	16	4934	0.3 %
14-05-2020	514	83115	0.6 %	12	4946	0.2 %
15-05-2020	488	83603	0.6 %	9	4955	0.2 %
16-04-2020	443	84046	0.5 %	12	4967	0.2 %
17-05-2020	441	84487	0.5 %	11	4978	0.2 %
18-05-2020	411	84898	0.5 %	10	4988	0.2 %
19-05-2020	423	85321	0.5 %	9	4997	0.2 %
20-05-2020	407	85728	0.5 %	7	5004	0.1 %
21-05-2020	384	86112	0.4 %	9	5013	0.2 %
22-05-2020	352	86464	0.4 %	8	5021	0.2 %
23-05-2020	337	86801	0.4 %	4	5025	0.1 %
Total	N/A	66326	N/A	N/A	4190	N/A	N/A	N/A
Source: Folkehelseinstituttet (Skandinavian Public Health Institute)

Graphics

Government response

Since the severity of the pandemic began to be dimensioned, the government began working on the collection of medical supplies. In early March, exports of antiviral drugs, masks and protective equipment were banned.

On March 11, the government began decreeing social distancing measures to try to stop the increase in the number of infections. That day, concentrations of more than 50 people were banned and all cultural, sporting and all kinds of events involving concentrations of people were suspended.

On March 13, flights to China and Italy were banned and mandatory quarantine measures were imposed for travelers from any country. Teleworking was imposed as a mandatory measure for all non-industrial workers. In addition, the government mobilized a SKK318 billion ($60 billion) from the oil fund to finance economic support measures against the pandemic.

On March 16, all flights from all over Asia and the European Union were canceled, keeping only flights from NEA countries. On the same day, measures were launched to repatriate all citizens of Skandinavia abroad who requested it.

On March 17, the King entrusts the Folkehelseinstituttet with the management of the epidemic and places all government bodies under his authority regarding measures to combat it. The King, in accordance with the powers granted by the Constitution and with the advice of the Folkehelseinstituttet, will take the necessary measures directly without subjecting them to political debate.

On March 18, the government orders the mobilization of the Heimevernet (Home Guard) to collaborate in the fight against Covid-19. The Heimevernet will act in coordination with the Folkehelseinstituttet for the construction of field hospitals where required and contribute to the disinfection of facilities.

On March 20, stricter measures of social isolation were decreed, imposing a mandatory quarantine for all citizens. All non-essential commercial establishments must remain closed. From that day on, it's only allowed to leave home to make basic purchases and to go working in companies that remain open. Industrial activity is minimized but it is allowed to keep companies open that ensure they do not have cases of contagion.

On March 21, the government awarded the company deCODE genetics the execution of a massive test campaign for $ 28 million. All active workers must pass a test to continue their activity and it is estimated that by the end of April, 12% of the total population will have been tested. From that day on, personnel rotations on oil platforms are suspended, except in justified cases.

On March 25, the government approves a moratorium on the payment of taxes for professionals and small businesses that must remain closed. Likewise, measures are approved to stimulate the manufacture of sanitary equipment and goods. The government will grant special subsidies to companies that adapt their production lines to manufacture sanitary material.

On March 28 all international flights are prohibited except for those official chartered flights to repatriate Skandinavian citizens.

On April 1, the government decrees that all current measures will remain until at least April 15.

On April 3, the government orders that all health personnel of the armed forces who are not carrying out missions abroad must make themselves available to the Folkehelseinstituttet to reinforce hospital personnel if necessary.

On April 10, the government claims that the measures taken are paying off and that the spread of the pandemic is being controlled. The results show a decrease in the increase of new cases.

On April 14, the government is preparing a plan to progressively reduce the containment measures that it plans to start putting into effect from the next day 23 if the data on the expansion of the pandemic remain positive.

On April 18, the opening of all companies in the industrial and service sectors has been decreed, except for businesses linked to the hotel, restaurant, tourism, leisure and physical and sports activities. The obligation is imposed on companies to provide the necessary means of protection for workers. This opening will be conditioned to the case-by-case study if new outbreaks of contagion occur in any company. However teleworking is recommended whenever possible.

On April 20 the government has presented plans for the completion of mandatory confinement and the end of the state of emergency that will take place on May 1. The gradual return to normal economic and labor activity will take place in stages during the first weeks of May. The forecast is for the school year to resume on May 10.

On April 22, the opening of all public administrative activity for April 27 is announced. In this way it is intended to contribute to the normalization of the economic and productive activity planned for May 1.

On May 1, economic and commercial activity resumes, observing strict security measures. It is recommended to keep teleworking as much as possible, but the opening of all kinds of companies is authorized. In commercial establishments, measures will be observed to limit the capacity and avoid crowds.

Since May 2, the use of masks is mandatory in all public indoor areas as well as in outdoor areas where a safety distance cannot be guaranteed.

On May 7, the prohibition to move outside the county of residence for any type of travel is released. (Travel for work or health reasons was already allowed.)

As of May 13, hotels can also be opened, limiting their capacity and not allowing access to common areas or restaurants for people not staying.

As of May 20, all measures to limit mobility, as well as timetables, are eliminated in the interior of the country. However, the population is asked to move with prudence and responsibility, observing hygiene and sanitary measures and obligations. All public transport will operate on their regular frequencies and times taking into account the sanitary measures imposed on public transport.

On May 22, the government announced the opening of the borders for the NEA member countries. Resident or national travelers from NEA countries will be able to enter Skandinavia, as well as Skandinavian residents will be able to travel to NEA countries. All people traveling will undergo medical tests and will have a special health monitoring.

Testing and treatment

One of the reasons that justify the low percentage of deaths in relation to verified cases, compared to the rest of European countries, is based on the high number of tests carried out. From the first moment, the government opted for the realization of a massive test campaign and that is why it commissioned the company deCODE genetics to carry out a huge test campaign on March 21st, which adds to the tests already carried out by the Health System.

As of May 20, 4.5 million tests had already been carried out and the government expects to end the month of May with 5.5 million tests carried out, which would be equivalent to 12% of the total population.

The government has ordered the Regional Health Authorities to have sections prepared for serious cases of COVID-19 that require treatment in every main hospital, as well to be prepared to treat patients that are elderly or have pre-existing conditions and therefore are particularly vulnerable to the disease. Other hospitals were required by the Regional Healty Authorities to prepare lists of non-essential operations that can be postponed. This would allow the manpower, space and equipment to rapidly be allocated towards an outbreak of coronavirus. On 12 March 2020, the first hospitals began postponing non-essential operations as a preparation for future cases of COVID-19, and on 17 March this was done in all hospitals nationwide.

According to the guidelines by the Folkehelseinstituttet, all infected people that have no or mild symptoms and are not considered particularly vulnerable are placed in home quarantine with daily contact from health professionals. Anybody that has been in close contact with someone known to be infected with SARS-CoV-2 is also placed in home quarantine. The rollout of eHealth services has been accelerated to help combat the epidemic in all cases where face-to-face medical care is not necessary.