Sweden takes more Covid measures when Omicron presses healthcare | World
STOCKHOLM, January 10 – Sweden will introduce more measures to stop the increasing number of covid cases and an increased pressure on healthcare, said Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson today.
“The situation has deteriorated, no doubt. The level of infection in Sweden is at a historically high level,” Andersson said at a press conference.
The new measures include a mandate to work from home where possible and a ceiling on the number of people allowed at public events.
Restaurants will need to close at 2300 and guests must sit in groups of no larger than eight people. Adults are also encouraged to limit social contact indoors.
The measures will be evaluated after two weeks, but are expected to be in place for at least four weeks.
While Covid infections have soared and set a new record last week, the number of people hospitalized as a result is still well below the peaks of previous waves. The number of new deaths has also been comparatively low.
More than 1,000 patients are cared for in Covid hospitals and about 100 of them are in intensive care units.
The strain on healthcare is exacerbated by the spread of other respiratory viruses and staff shortages, says the National Board of Health and Welfare. – Reuters