This puts the Scandinavian country at odds with Europe. However, experts believe it could become the norm because of the cost-effective testing that yields less benefits with the milder but easily transmissible omicron variant. Governments may also begin to treat COVID-19 as they do other endemic diseases.
“We have reached the point where the cost of testing and its relevance are no longer justified,” Karin Tegmark Wisell, chief of Swedish Public Health Agency told SVT this week.
Tegmark Wisell said, “If we had extensive testing that was adapted to all COVID-19 patients, that would be half a billion Kronor per week (about $55 millions) and 2 billion per month ($220million).”
Only health care workers, elderly care workers, and the most vulnerable will have access to free PCR testing starting Wednesday. The rest of the population will just be asked to remain home if they experience symptoms that could be COVID-19.
Although antigen tests can be purchased in pharmacies and supermarkets, they are not reported to the health authorities. Private health care providers are also able to perform tests and issue certificates for international travel. However, the state or insurance won’t reimburse the cost.
Health officials in Sweden are optimistic about the high vaccination rates. A late 2020 study, released Tuesday, showed that antibodies were present in 85% of samples.
Dr. Bharat Pantkhania is a senior clinical lecturer at University of Exeter Medical School in Britain. He said that a large percentage of people have been vaccinated and that they can identify if they experience symptoms. This allows them to avoid the need for “wholesale testing” that isn’t going to provide value for money.
Pankhania stated that “Sweden leads the way” and that other countries will follow. “We don’t need to do extensive testing just for the sake, but we should still look in sensitive settings like hospitals, nursing homes, and other places that have vulnerable people.”
The region of Stockholm spent more than $320million on PCR tests in 2021. This money could have been better spent elsewhere, according to the government.
Sweden was the most hands-off country in Europe during the pandemic. The country did not put itself under lockdown, nor did it close down any businesses. Instead, each person was responsible for controlling the infection. Although coronavirus deaths were higher than in other Nordic countries, they were still lower than those of many European countries that had implemented lockdowns.
Wednesday also saw the country lift its restrictions on people gathering at events and in restaurants. Vaccine certificates are no longer required. Bars and eateries have had to cancel their reduced hours.
Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson announced the reopening of the hospital last week. She stated that while infection rates have increased, they are not burdening hospitals.
This is in line with recent developments in Europe as authorities ease coronavirus restrictions, which have been governing the continent for two years.
Despite not showing symptoms, testing is still widespread across the continent. Teachers and schoolchildren in Greece are required to take a test at least twice per week. Many countries require a COVID-19 passport, or a negative test, to be allowed into cinemas, restaurants and other indoor venues.
Instead of removing all testing requirements in Britain, authorities are using testing and vaccination to allow people to return to their normal lives. Although the COVID-19 restrictions were lifted in January, the government stated that testing was still a vital tool in ending the pandemic. It said that infected individuals could be cured after five days if they have two negative rapid tests in two consecutive days.
The government also makes rapid tests available via home delivery. They encourage people to test before attending potentially dangerous gatherings in the hope that they will be able to reduce COVID-19 transmission.
Private COVID-19 laboratory tests providers have noticed a sharp drop in test requests since British authorities removed the requirement that travelers who are not vaccinated provide a negative test on entry to the country. This Friday.
Boris Johnson, the British Prime Minister, signaled on Wednesday that he would remove the requirement to isolate following a positive COVID-19 testing at the end February. It would be a good idea to isolate yourself.
He stated that he believed the “current encouraging trends in data” would continue and that he expected to be able to remove all domestic restrictions, including the requirement to self-isolate positive test results, “a full month before the deadline.
“We are seeing fewer people who have COVID, and so fewer people get tested,” Quinton Fivelman (chief scientific officer, London Medical Laboratory), said. “This is clearly a good sign, even though it means that there is less demand in that area.”
A similar shortage of testing may lead to a reduction in the demand for vaccinations, as opposed to government policy.
Denmark stated that the number of PCR test will decrease from 500,000 to 200,000 per day in order to “match the current stage” of epidemic development. The Scandinavian country’s government-funded free capacity for quick tests will close on March 6. However, PCR testing centers would continue to be available as long as necessary.
Magnus Heunicke, Danish Health Minister, stated last month that vaccines and easy access for tests were “our Danish super-weapons during the epidemic.” He also said that this has been positively reflected in hospital admissions. This allows them to reduce their large testing capacity.
