No lockdown in Sweden despite increase in COVID-19 patients

Sweden has reported more than 60 fatalities linked to the coronavirus but on Thursday, the Public Health Agency said it is not yet prepared to impose a lockdown.

The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Sweden continues to grow, hitting 2,806 on Thursday. A total of 66 people have died of COVID-19 and 178 patients have been treated in intensive care units, the Public Health Agency said at its daily press briefing.

The capital of Stockholm is the worst hit. On Wednesday evening, the city reported that 18 COVID-19 patients had died within 24 hours, nearly doubling the total deaths in the region.

At Thursday's briefing, state epidemiologist Anders Tegnell said Sweden could be nearing "day zero", the phase when the coronavirus outbreak curve is expected to move sharply upwards.

Tegnell reiterated that the directives and recommendations issued thus far should still be respected. They include a ban on public gatherings for more than 500 people, remote teaching for high schools and universities, and avoiding non-essential travel and working from home, if possible. Elderly people above the age of 70 are particularly urged to avoid social contact.