DEATH SURGE
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SWEDEN'S parks, bars and restaurants remain packed, despite its daily coronavirus death toll continuing to soar.
Shocking photos taken in the capital of Stockholm on Wednesday show bustling scenes as life carries on as normal amid the deadly outbreak.
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Sweden is the only country in Europe not to have imposed lockdowns - even though its death toll is worse than USA, Iran and Germany when compared to population size
It's a move which has sparked criticism from scientists and medics who have warned it "will lead to catastrophe."
The Scandinavian country recorded 172 new deaths and 682 new cases yesterday.
The deaths were the second-largest jump on record, lagging only behind Tuesday's figure of 185.
It takes the death toll in Sweden to 1,937.
That is far higher than its' neighbours Denmark (384), Norway (169) and Finland (149).
But it's still far lower than the number killed in the UK (18,100) which introduced lockdown measures on March 23.
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The 682 infections recorded brought the total to 16,004 which was the biggest daily rise for nearly two weeks.
But health officials believe the virus may have peaked in the capital - where it is believed up to a third of people had contracted the virus by May 1.
Research hints the rate of new infections peaked in Stockholm on April 15, which some believe means the "herd immunity" approach to tackling the virus is working.
Stockholm currently accounts for more than half of the country's total deaths.
Anders Wallensten, deputy state epidemiologist, said: "Already a bit more than a week ago, the peak was reached, at least according to this model, and we can expect fewer cases each day."
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But he added: "You also have to remember ... that two-thirds have not been infected and can still get it."
Wallensten said the advantage of Sweden's low-key approach is that advisory measures can be kept in place for longer than with a total lockdown.
Gatherings of more than 50 people have been banned along with visits to nursing homes, but otherwise social distancing is advised rather than enforced.
The World Health Organisation has already warned that it is still not known whether people become immune after catching the virus once.
Officials say that "people in Sweden have a high level of trust in government agencies" meaning that advisory measures have been widely followed.
Government ministers have also promised a huge increase in testing so that frontline works can be screened for the virus.
Sweden's neighbour Denmark is now reopening schools for children aged 11 and under from tomorrow, but other restrictions remain until May 11.
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MOST READ IN NEWS
It was announced earlier that Sweden shut down the last of its Chinese state-sponsored teaching programmes as relations between the two countries continue to sour.
According to the Times, Sweden is believed to be the first European state to close all its Confucius institutes and classrooms, which teach Chinese language and culture with textbooks and funding from Beijing.
Analysts have regarded the closure as a sign that the relationship between the two countries is unravelling amid accusations of bullying, meddling and incompetence.
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Surprising scenes show how Sweden remains unchanged during coronavirus pandemic