Sweden‘s Crown Princess Victoria, next in the line of succession to the Swedish throne, and husband Prince Daniel have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, the royal court said on Thursday.
‘The Crown Princess and Prince Daniel display mild symptoms, but are feeling well considering the circumstances,’ the Swedish Court said in a statement, adding that the couple were in quarantine with their children, Princess Estelle and Prince Oscar.
As crown princess, the 43-year-old Victoria is next in the line of succession to the Swedish throne currently held by her father, King Karl XVI Gustaf.
The King and Queen Silvia have both been vaccinated.
The king, who ascended the thrown in 1973 and turns 75 in April, has on several occasions appealed to Swedish national unity and urged the people to continue adhering to the country’s largely voluntary social distancing measures to curb the spread of the virus.
Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden (pictured left with her father Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden as they arrive at the Imperial Palace for the court banquet in Tokyo on October 22, 2019), next in the line of succession to the Swedish throne, and husband Prince Daniel have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, the royal court said on Thursday
Sweden has reported over 13,000 COVID-19 deaths. The death rate per capita is many times higher than that of its Nordic neighbours’ but lower than in several European countries that opted for lockdowns.
Bracing for a third wave of coronavirus, lockdown-free Sweden has brought in extra government powers that will allow leaders to clamp down if the situation deteriorates further.
The country which has shunned lockdowns throughout the pandemic, registered 5,300 new coronavirus cases on Thursday, health agency statistics showed.
The country of 10 million inhabitants registered 23 new deaths, taking the total to 13,111. The deaths registered have occurred over several days and sometimes weeks.
Sweden’s death rate per capita is many times higher than that of its Nordic neighbours’ but lower than in several European countries that opted for lockdowns.
Sweden’s reluctance to impose COVID lockdowns is being tested by growing pandemic fatigue and the rapid spread of a likely more contagious variant first identified in Britain as the country battles a third wave.
The Nordic country has relied on social distancing and hygiene recommendations. Schools and businesses for the most part have stayed open.
Pictured: Sweden’s Crown Princess Victoria (pictured right with her husband, file photo), is now in quarantine with her husband Prince Daniel and their two children
The Swedish Health Agency has argued that voluntary measures can achieve as much as lockdowns without harming the economy, child welfare and the general health of the population to the same extent.
Another key argument for Sweden’s less intrusive strategy has also been that it is more sustainable over time. But authorities have found that adherence to pandemic protocols may be flagging.
‘There’s quite a bit of what is called ‘pandemic fatigue’ to keep in mind,’ Chief Epidemiologist Anders Tegnell said this month. ‘We saw a good effect after the measures put in place in November and December, but now we have to increase (measures) again.’
Sweden, which has shunned lockdowns throughout the pandemic, registered 5,300 new coronavirus cases on Thursday, health agency statistics showed. Pictured: Graphs showing the seven-day rolling average of new coronavirus cases (top) and related deaths in Sweden
The chief epidemiologist for the Swedish public health authority has been one of the key voices in Sweden’s resistance to coronavirus measures, but has faced criticism from many within the country leading to officials pushing ahead with measures.
A new law comes into effect on Thursday that would allow the government to shut businesses in what would be the most drastic measures yet. Health Minister Lena Hallengren said on Wednesday there were no immediate plans for a lockdown.
Sweden has seen infections rise again after falling in January and February. Combined with the rise of the so-called British variant and a beleaguered healthcare system, the situation has led to calls for a lockdown.
‘We are in the midst of a third wave and for it not to turn into an uncontrollable tsunami, we need to take tough action early,’ said opposition Centre party leader Annie Loof this week. She wants to close shopping malls for three weeks.
‘There’s quite a bit of what is called ‘pandemic fatigue’ to keep in mind,’ Chief Epidemiologist Anders Tegnell said this month (pictured). ‘We saw a good effect after the measures put in place in November and December, but now we have to increase (measures) again.’
Pictured: People eat in a food court after the government called for the public to avoid crowds on March 1, 2021 in Stockholm. Bracing for a third wave of coronavirus, lockdown-free Sweden has brought in extra government powers that will allow leaders to clamp down if the situation deteriorates further
Sweden has gradually added more binding restrictions and tougher recommendations since November. Restaurants and cafes have to close by 8.30 p.m., while shops face crowd limits.
Not everyone is so sure about the benefits of a lockdown.
‘What’s the point of locking down a year after the pandemic started?,’ said Thomas Yavuz, 35, owner of a pizzeria in central Stockholm. ‘The one thing I liked about the Swedish model was that it gave us personal responsibility, but stricter rules would take that out of our hands.’
While infections have risen, deaths have declined over the past two months, a trend authorities believe is underpinned by the rollout of vaccines.