Stockholm Jan 4 (BUS) : Sweden set a new daily record for COVID-19 cases, with 11,507 cases on Dec. 30, health agency data showed on Tuesday, as a fourth wave of the virus swept across the country and put health care in place. Under renewed pressure, Reuters reported.
Daily infection numbers are usually adjusted somewhat as any overdue records of additional cases are added to the national total for a given day. The previous record of 11,376 cases was set in late December 2020.
The new wave of COVID-19 cases, driven in part by the more contagious variant of Omicron, has hit Sweden later than its Nordic neighbors, but in recent weeks has led to a sharp rise in the number of cases and hospitalizations.
The data showed that 42,969 new cases and 20 deaths were recorded for a period of four days from Friday to Monday. Sweden has gained international attention for refusing harsh lockdowns throughout the pandemic.
The health agency expects Omicron, which transmits more easily than other variants, to lead to a new peak in daily cases sometime in mid-January.
Sweden tightened restrictions on public gatherings last month and urged everyone able to work from home in a bid to limit the spread of the virus.
Bars and restaurants will only be able to serve seated guests while the public will also have to seat at larger events.
AOQ