Sweden reports 4,000 coronavirus deaths amid reports of 'soft approach'

Sweden reported over 4,000 deaths due to coronavirus amid reports of "soft approach" towards the pandemic with several European countries imposing stringent lockdowns.

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The country recorded 4,029 deaths and 33,843 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus, health authorities said.

Sweden's Prime Minister Stefan Lofven had earlier said that "this fight against COVID-19 is a marathon," as authorities told residents to holiday from home and extended non-essential travel advisory till July 15.

However, the country hasn't imposed lockdown rules like the rest of Europe, allowing children under-16 to go to school although social distancing norms have also been enforced in the country with the approach based on the "principle of responsibility".

Authorities had earlier said that they would extend testing for milder symptoms including to those involved in critical services.

Health Minister Lena Hallengren had said that, "we can't have a situation where people stay at home at the slightest symptom if they don't need to be home."

However, testing has been difficult ever since the country announced plans last month with the testing coordinator Harriet Wallberg declaring, "the testing capacity is there, but there are still difficulties with the logistics around it."

The government had earlier said it would be carrying out testing for 100,000 people a week, but it has struggled to keep up the numbers.