Today in Sweden: A round-up of the latest news on Friday

Vetlanda attack investigated as attempted murder

Police said on Thursday that they were investigating an attack on seven people in the southern city of Vetland as attempted murder. They had previously said they were also investigating possible terror motives, and this is still the case, although the classification of the crime is currently attempted murder and not suspected terrorism.

This came after they questioned the suspect, who was shot by police and arrested, and who is now detained on suspicion of seven counts of attempted murder.

By Thursday, the regional director of healthcare said that all seven victims of the attack were expected to recover from their injuries, which in three cases had been considered life-threatening. Five of the seven have been treated in intensive care, but all seven were stable on Thursday.

Swedish vocabulary: to investigate – utreda

Photo: Mikael Fritzon / TT

Sweden will offer the AstraZeneca vaccine to over-65s

Swedish health authorities have approved the Covid-19 vaccine by AstraZeneca for people aged 65 and over, removing an earlier recommendation not to use it after multiple studies showed it was effective in this age group.

Swedish vocabulary: (academic) study – studie

14-day coronavirus incidence rate tops 500

A total of 515 new cases of Covid-19 were reported in Sweden per 100,000 residents over the past 14 days, the Public Health Agency said on Thursday. The rate varied around the regions, with Norrbotten reporting 747 cases per 100,000 residents, Västra Götaland 647, Stockholm 552, and Skåne 440 for example.

Swedish vocabulary: to vary – variera

Pregnant women may be granted Covid compensation

People in Sweden who are pregnant and unable to work due to the risk of catching Covid-19 may be entitled to compensation, a government minister told SVT.

Unlike many countries around Europe, Sweden did not consider pregnancy a risk factor until some time into the pandemic. In September 2020, the Swedish work environment watchdog ruled that pregnant women should not have to carry out tasks that risk exposing them to the coronavirus in the workplace, and in December, the Public Health Agency warned pregnant women to be "extra careful not to get sick with Covid-19". 

But it was only last week that the National Board of Health and Welfare said people in their 22nd to 36th week of pregnancy would be classes as a risk group for the virus. The Social Insurance Minister confirmed on Thursday that this means, like other risk groups, pregnant people who cannot work from home will be eligible for compensation if they miss work due to Covid-19.

Swedish vocabulary: pregnant – gravid

Photo: Jessica Gow / TT 

Risk for wildfires in half of Sweden

With the winter snow having melted, there is an increased risk of fires starting, because the grass under the snow is older and dry and new grass has not yet been able to grow. Meteorological agency SMHI has warned there is a risk of wildfires in around half of the country.

The risk applies to southern Sweden, up to and including Dalarna and Gävleborg, so people are reminded to be careful about any outdoor barbecues.

Swedish vocabulary: wildfire – gräsbrand

Editor's note: This article was updated on Friday morning to clarify the police classification of the Vetlanda incident.