Sweden says they can introduce new covid-19 measures next week
STOCKHOLM, December 2 (Reuters) – The Public Health Agency said on Thursday that it can introduce new restrictions as early as next week to combat the coronavirus pandemic and a rising stream of infections.
Sweden introduced vaccine cards for indoor events with more than 100 people at the beginning of this month and indicated that further measures may be needed to slow down the spread of the virus.
– We may have to take action as early as next week, said Karin Tegmark Wisell, Director General of the Swedish Public Health Agency, at a press conference.
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She said the measures could include general advice such as keeping a distance from other people, but did not give exact details.
Minister of Health Lena Hallengren said that the government and the health authority will present a joint plan next week. “We are facing an uncertain winter,” she said.
Tegmark Wisell said that the health authority looked closely at the development of the Omicron virus variant.
Much is still unknown about the new variant, which was first found last month in southern Africa and has spread to at least two dozen countries.
Sweden’s first confirmed case of the variant was discovered on Monday, after which at least two new cases have been found in the country.
Unlike many European countries, Sweden has not experienced a new wave of infections, but there have been early signs that the pandemic is gaining momentum, even though the number of hospital stays is still relatively low.
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Reporting by Helena Söderpalm; editing by Niklas Pollard and Jason Neely
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