Reuters Reuters 16 December, 2020, 8:11 pm FILE PHOTO: A general view of the Berga nursing home, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Stockholm, Sweden November 27, 2020. REUTERS/Anna Ringstrom STOCKHOLM (Reuters) – Systemic shortcomings in Sweden’s elderly care coupled with inadequate measures from the government and agencies contributed to the country’s high death toll in nursing homes, an initial report by an official commission said on Tuesday. Sweden’s pandemic strategy, shunning lockdowns and masks, has stood out internationally. It left schools, restaurants and businesses largely open while appealing to people to socially distance and maintain good hygiene. When announced during the spring, the strategy was twinned with a goal to “ring-fence” the elderly from COVID-19. But as deaths mounted, especially at nursing homes, the commission was appointed to asses the response.