The latest news and figures about the Covid pandemic in Sweden
Follow the latest news about how the coronavirus pandemic is developing in Sweden with The Local's paywall-free blog.
After two years, it's time for us to bid farewell to The Local's Covid blog. It remained completely free for everyone throughout the pandemic as a service to Sweden's English-speaking community. But our coverage was only possible with our paying members' support, so if you haven't yet, please consider joining us to support our independent journalism. Thank you. We'll continue to cover the pandemic in other articles – our editor explains what's next here.
February 25th:
Sweden has confirmed 2,441,142 cases of coronavirus to date. A total of 17,142 people have died since the start of the pandemic within 30 days of testing positive, and 8,873 Covid-19 patients have received intensive care.
A total of 7,804,146 people aged over 12 have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 7,582,633 have received two doses. This corresponds to 86.8 and 84.4 percent, respectively, of Sweden's over-12 population. A total of 4,904,779 people over the age of 18 have had three doses – 59.4 percent of that age group.
Sweden's decision to rely on voluntary measures rather than a strict lockdown to handle the Covid-19 pandemic was "fundamentally correct", but there were several things the government should have done differently, the final report by the Coronavirus Commission concluded today.
We've been running this blog for almost two years. We started it to keep readers informed about new infections and changes to restrictions, recommendations and testing rules, and kept it completely paywall-free. But we’ve reached a new stage of the pandemic, and it feels like the blog has served its purpose. Today will also be the last time we update the blog. But the pandemic itself, its impact on people, and The Local’s coverage, are not over. We'll keep covering it in other articles on www.thelocal.se. You can always keep in touch with our editorial team on [email protected]. Our editor explains the decision in more depth here.
February 24th:
Sweden has confirmed 2,437,850 cases of coronavirus to date. A total of 17,083 people have died since the start of the pandemic within 30 days of testing positive, and 8,869 Covid-19 patients have received intensive care.
A total of 7,803,088 people aged over 12 have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 7,579,223 have received two doses. This corresponds to 86.8 and 84.3 percent, respectively, of Sweden's over-12 population. A total of 4,879,284 people over the age of 18 have had three doses – 59.1 percent of that age group.
February 23rd:
Sweden has confirmed 2,434,783 cases of coronavirus to date. A total of 17,064 people have died since the start of the pandemic within 30 days of testing positive, and 8,868 Covid-19 patients have received intensive care.
At the time of writing (2pm on Wednesday), no updated data on the number of vaccinations have been published by the Public Health Agency.
February 22nd:
Sweden has confirmed 2,431,365 cases of coronavirus to date. A total of 16,933 people have died since the start of the pandemic within 30 days of testing positive, and 8,852 Covid-19 patients have received intensive care.
A total of 7,801,398 people aged over 12 have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 7,574,097 have received two doses. This corresponds to 86.7 and 84.2 percent, respectively, of Sweden's over-12 population. A total of 4,838,182 people over the age of 18 have had three doses – 58.6 percent of that age group.
The Public Health Agency published yesterday two possible scenarios for the Covid pandemic in the upcoming months. Here's The Local's article for more details.
February 18th:
Sweden has confirmed 2,422,856 cases of coronavirus to date. A total of 16,852 people have died since the start of the pandemic within 30 days of testing positive, and 8,817 Covid-19 patients have received intensive care.
A total of 7,798,800 people aged over 12 have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 7,566,261 have received two doses. This corresponds to 86.7 and 84.1 percent, respectively, of Sweden's over-12 population. A total of 4,768,427 people over the age of 18 have had three doses – 57.7 percent of that age group.
February 17th:
Sweden has confirmed 2,418,560 cases of coronavirus to date. A total of 16,768 people have died since the start of the pandemic within 30 days of testing positive, and 8,809 Covid-19 patients have received intensive care.
A total of 7,797,458 people aged over 12 have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 7,562,165 have received two doses. This corresponds to 86.7 and 84.1 percent, respectively, of Sweden's over-12 population. A total of 4,724,809 people over the age of 18 have had three doses – 57.2 percent of that age group.
February 16th:
Sweden has confirmed 2,414,463 cases of coronavirus to date. A total of 16,716 people have died since the start of the pandemic within 30 days of testing positive, and 8,805 Covid-19 patients have received intensive care.
A total of 7,796,228 people aged over 12 have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 7,558,474 have received two doses. This corresponds to 86.7 and 84.0 percent, respectively, of Sweden's over-12 population. A total of 4,688,182 people over the age of 18 have had three doses – 56.4 percent of that age group.
February 15th:
Sweden has confirmed 2,409,081 cases of coronavirus to date. A total of 16,579 people have died since the start of the pandemic within 30 days of testing positive, and 8,795 Covid-19 patients have received intensive care.
A total of 7,795,253 people aged over 12 have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 7,555,705 have received two doses. This corresponds to 86.7 and 84.0 percent, respectively, of Sweden's over-12 population. A total of 4,659,529 people over the age of 18 have had three doses – 56.4 percent of that age group.
The Public Health Agency is now recommending a fourth Covid vaccine dose for care home residents, recipients of at-home care, and over-80s, to be given at least four months after dose three. These vaccinations are set to get under way next week.
Despite recently removing almost all Covid-19-related restrictions as well as ending testing of the general public, the pandemic is still ongoing in Sweden, with the agency describing the spread of infection in a new press release as “intensive”.
Third doses are available for over-18s in all Swedish regions. If you have not had yours yet and want to know how to book in your region, see The Local’s guide HERE.
February 11th:
Sweden has confirmed 2,397,330 cases of coronavirus to date. A total of 16,501 people have died since the start of the pandemic within 30 days of testing positive, and 8,770 Covid-19 patients have received intensive care.
A total of 7,791,817 people aged over 12 have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 7,546,350 have received two doses. This corresponds to 86.6 and 83.9 percent, respectively, of Sweden's over-12 population. A total of 4,551,390 people over the age of 18 have had three doses – 55.1 percent of that age group.
February 10th:
According to the most recent data, Sweden has confirmed 2,389,605 cases of coronavirus to date. A total of 16,395 people have died since the start of the pandemic within 30 days of testing positive, and 8,758 Covid-19 patients have received intensive care.
A total of 7,790,181 people aged over 12 have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 7,541,945 have received two doses. This corresponds to 86.6 and 83.8 percent, respectively, of Sweden's over-12 population. A total of 4,497,879 people over the age of 18 have had three doses – 54.4 percent of that age group.
In a press conference this afternoon, Sara Byfors from the Public Health Agency stated that the pandemic has entered a "new phase", but that "there is still a high level of infection in society" and that "there's a risk of becoming ill". She also repeated advice for those who are not yet vaccinated to do so, as well as for those over the age of 18 to get their booster dose.
In terms of travelling, Byfors recommended that travellers research possible destinations in terms of their Covid-19 advice, stating that "we don't have advice for certain countries".
February 9th:
Nearly all Covid restrictions and recommendations were removed in Sweden today – a day people have been either dreading, looking forward to, or both at the same time, at least judging from the responses The Local got to our reader survey.
Some of the recommendations that remain in place are that if you have symptoms that may be a sign of Covid-19, you should stay home and avoid close contact with others, and unvaccinated adults should avoid crowded spaces, and large crowds indoors at all times.
The general public will starting today no longer be able to get a PCR test for free, but staff and patients in the healthcare and elderly care sectors should still get tested if they have symptoms. We'll keep publishing the Public Health Agency's available data on the pandemic for now, but bear in mind that the new testing limitations are likely to have a significant effect on the number of new infections.
According to the most recent data, Sweden has confirmed 2,372,637 cases of coronavirus to date. A total of 16,358 people have died since the start of the pandemic within 30 days of testing positive, and 8,735 Covid-19 patients have received intensive care.
A total of 7,788,566 people aged over 12 have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 7,537,528 have received two doses. This corresponds to 86.6 and 83.8 percent, respectively, of Sweden's over-12 population. A total of 4,438,841 people over the age of 18 have had three doses – 53.7 percent of that age group.
February 8th:
You may have noticed that The Local looks quite different today. After several years with the same design we decided last year that it was high time to give the site a makeover. Please bear with us as we work through any bugs that will inevitably crop up – in the meantime you can read more HERE about how the new design is meant to work, and we would love to get your feedback!
Sweden has confirmed 2,354,455 cases of coronavirus to date. A total of 16,244 people have died since the start of the pandemic within 30 days of testing positive, and 8,712 Covid-19 patients have received intensive care.
A total of 7,787,020 people aged over 12 have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 7,534,073 have received two doses. This corresponds to 86.6 and 83.8 percent, respectively, of Sweden's over-12 population. A total of 4,384,112 people over the age of 18 have had three doses – 53.1 percent of that age group.
From tomorrow it will be possible to travel to Sweden from the rest of the EU/EEA and the Nordics without showing a Covid pass, as the country prepares to lift all border restrictions for the union.
February 4th:
Sweden has confirmed 2,287,785 cases of coronavirus to date. A total of 16,180 people have died since the start of the pandemic within 30 days of testing positive, and 8,659 Covid-19 patients have received intensive care.
A total of 7,782,719 people aged over 12 have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 7,524,799 have received two doses. This corresponds to 86.5 and 83.7 percent, respectively, of Sweden's over-12 population. A total of 4,235,257 people over the age of 18 have had three doses – 51.3 percent of that age group.
Swedish authorities are planning to lift Covid-19 restrictions on February 9th. But what does this mean for the non-EU entry ban? We put the question to the government in this article. A Health Ministry spokesperson told us that as a first step they'll remove restrictions for people travelling from the Nordic countries (though it's not clear when), but didn't have any information on the rest of the EU or non EU arrivals.
February 3rd:
Sweden has confirmed 2,259,656 cases of coronavirus to date. A total of 16,100 people have died since the start of the pandemic within 30 days of testing positive, and 8,645 Covid-19 patients have received intensive care.
A total of 7,780,435 people aged over 12 have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 7,520,144 have received two doses. This corresponds to 86.5 and 83.6 percent, respectively, of Sweden's over-12 population. A total of 4,156,020 people over the age of 18 have had three doses – 50.3 percent of that age group.
Sweden's government announced today that the majority of restrictions against Covid-19 will be removed on Wednesday next week, and testing will be limited to staff and patients in the healthcare and elderly care sectors. See The Local's article here for details.
February 2nd:
Sweden has confirmed 2,223,115 cases of coronavirus to date. A total of 16,028 people have died since the start of the pandemic within 30 days of testing positive, and 8,630 Covid-19 patients have received intensive care.
A total of 7,778,355 people aged over 12 have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 7,515,723 have received two doses. This corresponds to 86.5 and 83.6 percent, respectively, of Sweden's over-12 population. A total of 4,084,573 people over the age of 18 have had three doses – 49.4 percent of that age group.
February 1st:
Sweden has confirmed 2,183,910 cases of coronavirus to date. A total of 15,961 people have died since the start of the pandemic within 30 days of testing positive, and 8,621 Covid-19 patients have received intensive care.
A total of 7,776,581 people aged over 12 have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 7,512,122 have received two doses. This corresponds to 86.5 and 83.5 percent, respectively, of Sweden's over-12 population. A total of 4,030,372 people over the age of 18 have had three doses – 48.8 percent of that age group.
From February 1st, the Public Health Agency is using population figures from November 11th, 2021, to calculate the percentage of the population who have been vaccinated. Previous figures used were from December 31st, 2020. This has affected the vaccination total, as people who died between December 31st, 2020, and November 11th, 2021, have now been removed from the total. This is why the number of vaccinated individuals is lower today for one- and two-dose vaccinations than it was last week.
The Public Health agency has cut the waiting period for booster doses from five months to three. The new recommendations come three weeks after Sweden reduced the booster waiting time from six to five months, a decision that came later than many other European countries.
Starting today, foreign residents who got vaccinated in a third country are able to apply for a Swedish Covid vaccine pass. But only if they live in or are able to travel to Stockholm – everyone else will have to wait.
January 28th:
Sweden has confirmed 2,070,456 cases of coronavirus to date. A total of 15,855 people have died since the start of the pandemic within 30 days of testing positive, and 8,576 Covid-19 patients have received intensive care.
At the time of writing, new vaccination data for Friday had not yet been released.
Sweden will not at this stage recommend Covid-19 vaccinations for all children aged five to 11, the Public Health Agency said yesterday. It recommends jabs only for children who are at risk, and for everyone from the age of 12 and above.
January 27th:
Sweden has confirmed 2,015,276 cases of coronavirus to date. A total of 15,778 people have died since the start of the pandemic within 30 days of testing positive, and 8,549 Covid-19 patients have received intensive care.
Out of 558,000 people who got tested last week, 42 percent of tests came back positive, according to figures released at the health authorities weekly press conference today.
A total of 7,832,031 people aged over 12 have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 7,550,199 have received two doses. This corresponds to 86.7 and 83.6 percent, respectively, of Sweden's over-12 population. A total of 3,770,192 people over the age of 18 have had three doses – 45.4 percent of that age group.
Sweden today extended its border restrictions until March 31st for non-EU/EEA arrivals, and removed visitors from Argentina, Australia and Canada from the list of "exempt countries".
- Sweden’s travel ban: The difference between exempt and approved countries
January 26th:
Sweden has confirmed 1,973,485 cases of coronavirus to date. A total of 15,768 people have died since the start of the pandemic within 30 days of testing positive, and 8,527 Covid-19 patients have received intensive care.
A total of 7,828,555 people aged over 12 have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 7,543,618 have received two doses. This corresponds to 86.6 and 83.5 percent, respectively, of Sweden's over-12 population. A total of 3,680,402 people over the age of 18 have had three doses – 44.3 percent of that age group.
Sweden may lift most of its Covid restrictions starting February 9th, if the ongoing outbreak of the Omicron variant peaks by then and vaccinations continue apace, Health Minister Lena Hallengren told a press conference today. She said further details would come next week, but here's what we know so far.
Karin Tegmark Wisell, director-general of the Public Health Agency, told the same press conference that 270,000 new cases had been confirmed with PCR tests in the past seven days, but that the agency believes that the outbreak is currently so widespread that the true figure could be a least half a million people a week. Sweden's population is more than 10 million people.
EU countries have agreed to make it easier for anyone with an EU Covid-19 certificate to travel within the bloc without having to face any further restrictions such as tests or quarantine. It would mean those with an EU Covid certificate, which proves vaccination, recovery or a negative test, would be allowed to travel freely within the EU or Schengen zone without the need for extra tests or quarantine, even if they were coming from a country with high Covid infection rates.
January 25th:
Sweden has confirmed 1,922,990 cases of coronavirus to date. A total of 15,693 people have died since the start of the pandemic within 30 days of testing positive, and 8,507 Covid-19 patients have received intensive care.
A total of 7,825,580 people aged over 12 have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 7,538,117 have received two doses. This corresponds to 86.6 and 83.4 percent, respectively, of Sweden's over-12 population. A total of 3,608,460 people over the age of 18 have had three doses – 43.4 percent of that age group.
Swedish hospitals usually carry out around 560,000 operations in a normal year. That figure had already dropped by 133,000 before the coronavirus pandemic hit, and then kept falling – ending up at 169,000 fewer operations in 2021, reports the TT newswire today. Although it varies between regions, the main problem now is not a limited number of ICU beds, but rather staff shortages because a lot of staff are at home with Covid, quarantining because a family member is ill, or looking after a sick child.
Staff shortages are a problem in many schools too. In Stockholm, 22 percent of staff in the municipality's schools were absent due to illness or quarantine – almost four times more than the same week last year, reports Swedish newspaper Dagens Nyheter.
Omicron has taken hold in Sweden, and the high demand on testing facilities has led to delays for booking tests, as well as changes in testing rules. So who should get tested, and how can they book? Here's The Local's guide to the current guidelines in Sweden.
January 21st:
Sweden has confirmed 1,784,005 cases of coronavirus to date. A total of 15,674 people have died since the start of the pandemic within 30 days of testing positive, and 8,471 Covid-19 patients have received intensive care.
A total of 7,815,401 people aged over 12 have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 7,519,284 have received two doses. This corresponds to 86.5 and 83.2 percent, respectively, of Sweden's over-12 population. A total of 3,387,383 people over the age of 18 have had three doses – 40.8 percent of that age group.
January 20th:
Sweden has confirmed 1,741,710 cases of coronavirus to date. A total of 15,631 people have died since the start of the pandemic within 30 days of testing positive, and 8,457 Covid-19 patients have received intensive care.
A total of 7,810,521 people aged over 12 have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 7,508,711 have received two doses. This corresponds to 86.4 and 83.1 percent, respectively, of Sweden's over-12 population. A total of 3,291,985 people over the age of 18 have had three doses – 39.6 percent of that age group.
The Public Health Agency announced changes to quarantine regulations today - the folllowing groups of people no longer need to stay home if a member of their household has Covid-19, if they do not have symptoms themselves: those vaccinated with a booster, those who have had Covid-19 within the last three months, and some key workers, provided that other risk-reducing measures are taken.
Those with confirmed Covid-19 must no longer isolate for a full week - this has now been shortened to five days, provided that they are feeling better and have been fever-free for 48 hours. Here's The Local's rundown of the new rules.
January 19th:
Sweden has confirmed 1,700,336 cases of coronavirus to date. A total of 15,625 people have died since the start of the pandemic within 30 days of testing positive, and 8,451 Covid-19 patients have received intensive care.
The Public Health Agency's statistics for the period spanning January 1st-17th 2022 were updated today – this means that individuals testing positive for Covid-19 a second time within six months are included in the total number of positive cases once. Previously, the limit was 12 months.
A total of 7,806,103 people aged over 12 have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 7,498,841 have received two doses. This corresponds to 86.4 and 83 percent, respectively, of Sweden's over-12 population. A total of 3,197,032 people over the age of 18 have had three doses – 38.5 percent of that age group.
Several readers have told The Local that their airlines refused to let them fly unless they could present a negative Covid-19 test, despite being covered by exemptions from testing requirements.
January 18th:
Sweden has confirmed 1,657,611 cases of coronavirus to date. A total of 15,558 people have died since the start of the pandemic within 30 days of testing positive, and 8,440 Covid-19 patients have received intensive care.
A total of 7,802,840 people aged over 12 have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 7,491,734 have received two doses. This corresponds to 86.4 and 82.9 percent, respectively, of Sweden's over-12 population. A total of 3,135,430 people over the age of 18 have had three doses – 37.7 percent of that age group.
Sweden will on Friday scrap the Covid test requirement for foreign visitors from some countries and bring back the vaccine pass rules that applied before December 28th. You can read more about that in English in The Local's article HERE.
The Omicron outbreak in Sweden is reflected not only in a high infection rate but also in the amount of sick leave people are claiming from the Social Insurance Agency. We've got more information about that in The Local's daily news roundup, Today in Sweden.
The Swedish government has formally decided to cap the maximum number of people allowed at indoor public events to 500, which will come into force on Wednesday. But if the area can be sectioned off into smaller areas, the cap will apply to each section.
People holding private events in public venues will not be allowed to invite more than 20 people, with the exception of funerals where a maximum of 50 will be allowed. Covid vaccine passes are required at events attended by more than 50 people.
January 14th:
Sweden has confirmed 1,560,363 cases of coronavirus to date. A total of 15,513 people have died since the start of the pandemic within 30 days of testing positive, and 8,392 Covid-19 patients have received intensive care.
A total of 7,791,147 people aged over 12 have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 7,468,000 have received two doses. This corresponds to 86.2 and 82.7 percent, respectively, of Sweden's over-12 population. A total of 2,941,448 people over the age of 18 have had three doses – 35.4 percent of that age group.
Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson has tested positive for Covid-19, the third party leader to get a positive test result after a cross-party meeting this week. She joins Green Party Leader Per Bolund and Centre Party Leader Annie Lööf, who both tested positive earlier in the week.
January 13th:
Sweden has confirmed 1,534,797 cases of coronavirus to date. A total of 15,482 people have died since the start of the pandemic within 30 days of testing positive, and 8,376 Covid-19 patients have received intensive care.
Sweden confirmed 1,769 new infections per 100,000 people in total over the last two weeks. Out of 414,394 people who got a PCR test last week, 32 percent were positive.
A total of 7,785,590 people aged over 12 have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 7,455,886 have received two doses. This corresponds to 86.2 and 82.5 percent, respectively, of Sweden's over-12 population. A total of 2,861,926 people over the age of 18 have had three doses – 34.5 percent of that age group.
The Public Health Agency now recommends that the interval for booster vaccinations be shortened to five months for everyone over the age of 18. In a statement on Wednesday afternoon, it said regions should prioritise people over the age of 50 and people aged 18-49 who belong to risk groups. To find out how to book a vaccine in your region, go to the 1177.se healthcare website and click välj region at the top of the page.
January 12th:
Sweden has confirmed 1,509,230 cases of coronavirus to date. A total of 15,462 people have died since the start of the pandemic within 30 days of testing positive, and 8,361 Covid-19 patients have received intensive care.
A total of 7,780,680 people aged over 12 have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 7,445,741 have received two doses. This corresponds to 86.1 and 82.4 percent, respectively, of Sweden's over-12 population. A total of 2,795,018 people over the age of 18 have had three doses – 33.7 percent of that age group.
Sweden’s big city regions – Stockholm, Västra Götaland and Skåne – last week all reported the highest number of new Covid cases in one week during the pandemic. Stockholm’s infectious disease doctor said in a statement that more than 40 percent of tests in the region are currently coming back positive, with Omicron dominating. Here's more about that in The Local's daily news roundup.
Swedish radio reports that regions may get the go-ahead this week to shorten the interval between the second and third dose of the Covid vaccine from six to five months for all adults. We'll report more on The Local as soon as there's confirmation.
January 11th:
Sweden has confirmed 1,487,291 cases of coronavirus to date. A total of 15,431 people have died since the start of the pandemic within 30 days of testing positive, and 8,347 Covid-19 patients have received intensive care.
A total of 7,777,203 people aged over 12 have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 7,439,495 have received two doses. This corresponds to 86.1 and 82.3 percent, respectively, of Sweden's over-12 population. A total of 2,748,544 people over the age of 18 have had three doses – 33.1 percent of that age group.
A series of new Covid measures will come into force in Sweden on Wednesday, including forcing restaurants to close at 11pm and urging adults to limit their "close contacts" indoors by avoiding for example large dinners or parties. Here is The Local's guide on what you need to know.
“It is undoubtedly the case that the situation has deteriorated. The spread of infection in Sweden is at historically high levels,” said Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson as she announced the new restrictions and recommendations.
An Irish woman told The Local she has "no confidence any more in travelling" after she, her husband and their two small children were held at a Swedish airport overnight over missing Covid test results before being sent back to Ireland. The family had regularly checked EU website Re-open EU – an EU-wide website updated by country authorities – for travel advice prior to the trip, and believed their documents were in order as they were fully vaccinated. But on the morning of the day they travelled, Sweden's regulations were updated to require foreign visitors to present a negative test. Here's The Local's interview with her, the Swedish police and Re-open EU officials.
January 7th:
Sweden has confirmed 1,416,650 cases of coronavirus to date. A total of 15,377 people have died since the start of the pandemic within 30 days of testing positive, and 8,311 Covid-19 patients have received intensive care.
A total of 23,877 new cases were confirmed on January 5th. This is now the highest number of confirmed daily infections during the entire pandemic.
A total of 7,771,337 people aged over 12 have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 7,430,541 have received two doses. This corresponds to 86.0 and 82.2 percent, respectively, of Sweden's over-12 population. A total of 2,685,381 people over the age of 18 have had three doses – 32.3 percent of that age group.
January 5th:
Sweden has confirmed 1,375,267 cases of coronavirus to date. A total of 15,369 people have died since the start of the pandemic within 30 days of testing positive, and 8,275 Covid-19 patients have received intensive care.
In the last two weeks (not including this week), Sweden confirmed a total of 841 new infections per 100,000 people, said the Public Health Agency's expert Britta Björkholm at today's press conference. A total of 327,024 people were tested for Covid-19 last week, and 19 percent came back positive (the week before that the proportion of positive tests was 9 percent).
Omicron is now the dominant variant in Sweden, said Björkholm.
More than 17,000 new cases were confirmed on January 4th. This is now the highest number of confirmed daily infections during the entire pandemic.
A total of 7,761,586 people aged over 12 have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 7,412,643 have received two doses. This corresponds to 85.9 and 82 percent, respectively, of Sweden's over-12 population. A total of 2,569,418 people over the age of 18 have had three doses – 30.9 percent of that age group.
The government has granted the Public Health Agency the power to extend vaccine passes to restaurants and other venues, if it believes it is necessary. But Björkholm told today's press conference that the agency had not yet decided whether or not to actually extend the scheme.
January 4th:
Sweden has confirmed 1,357,753 cases of coronavirus to date. A total of 15,330 people have died since the start of the pandemic within 30 days of testing positive, and 8,275 Covid-19 patients have received intensive care. Today's update also tells us that Sweden confirmed 11,507 new infections on December 30th – the highest number of confirmed daily infections during the entire pandemic.
A total of 7,757,998 people aged over 12 have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 7,406,964 have received two doses. This corresponds to 85.9 and 82 percent, respectively, of Sweden's over-12 population. A total of 2,524,519 people over the age of 18 have had three doses – 30.4 percent of that age group.
People applying for a Swedish Covid pass via post can expect long delays - up to six weeks, the Dagens Nyheter newspaper reports. Here is our guide on how to get your Swedish Covid-19 pass.
King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia have both tested positive for Covid-19, the Royal Court of Sweden has confirmed.
Starting today, all adults in Stockholm will be offered their Covid booster vaccine six months after their second dose.
December 30th:
Sweden has confirmed 1,314,784 cases of coronavirus to date. A total of 15,310 people have died since the start of the pandemic within 30 days of testing positive, and 8,219 Covid-19 patients have received intensive care.
A total of 7,753,150 people aged over 12 have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 7,381,069 have received two doses. This corresponds to 85.8 and 81.7 percent, respectively, of Sweden's over-12 population. A total of 2,468,482 of over-18s have had three doses – 29.7 percent of that age group. Here's The Local's guide to how to book your booster dose in each Swedish region.
At least 600 people travelling from Denmark have been denied entry to Sweden since the latter country introduced a new requirement for entry Covid-19 tests on December 28th, border police in southern Sweden confirmed to Danish newswire Ritzau. The Swedish police did not give exact details on the number of Danish citizens who were among the refusals, but said they constituted the “considerable majority”.
We will update this blog next on Monday. We wish all of our readers a happy 2022, with hopes of better times ahead.
December 29th:
Sweden has confirmed 1,303,663 cases of coronavirus to date. A total of 15,297 people have died since the start of the pandemic within 30 days of testing positive, and 8,214 Covid-19 patients have received intensive care. At the time of writing, the vaccination data that's available via the Public Health Agency's website has not been updated since yesterday.
The number of confirmed new Covid-19 cases increased 14 percent in the week of Christmas, according to a preliminary analysis by the Public Health Agency.
Around 10,000 households in the city of Borås, western Sweden, did not get their post on Monday after around 50 staff fell ill in a Covid outbreak, reported public radio broadcaster Sveriges Radio P4’s local station in the Sjuhärad area.
A company that operated a clinic which issued false Covid certificates in Gothenburg has gone into liquidation, reports western Swedish newspaper Göteborgs-Posten.
December 28th:
This is the first day since before the Christmas holidays that we get updated data on new infections and vaccinations.
There is likely still a Christmas lag, but we know that Sweden has confirmed 1,294,560 cases of coronavirus to date. A total of 15,265 people have died since the start of the pandemic within 30 days of testing positive, and 8,203 Covid-19 patients have received intensive care.
The number of patients currently receiving intensive care for Covid-19 continued to rise over Christmas and has now passed 100.
A total of 7,746,286 people aged over 12 have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 7,370,712 have received two doses. This corresponds to 85.7 and 81.6 percent, respectively, of Sweden's over-12 population. A total of 2,399,970 of over-18s have had three doses – 28.9 percent of that age group. Here's The Local's guide to how to book your booster dose in each Swedish region.
Starting today, many foreign travellers need to show a negative Covid test to be allowed to enter Sweden, regardless of whether or not they are fully vaccinated. Here's what you need to know about the new rules and which Covid tests are considered valid for entry.
In a new article, The Local's readers share their best advice for travelling to and from Sweden over the holidays as pandemic restrictions and staff shortages cause delays and cancellations.
Thanks for reading our blog – and please consider becoming a member to help us keep it going. We've had to create a new article because previous versions of the blog have become too long. You can catch up with the archived versions via the following links.
The Local's paywall-free blog on how the pandemic developed in Sweden:
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After two years, it's time for us to bid farewell to The Local's Covid blog. It remained completely free for everyone throughout the pandemic as a service to Sweden's English-speaking community. But our coverage was only possible with our paying members' support, so if you haven't yet, please consider joining us to support our independent journalism. Thank you. We'll continue to cover the pandemic in other articles – our editor explains what's next here.
February 25th:
Sweden has confirmed 2,441,142 cases of coronavirus to date. A total of 17,142 people have died since the start of the pandemic within 30 days of testing positive, and 8,873 Covid-19 patients have received intensive care.
A total of 7,804,146 people aged over 12 have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 7,582,633 have received two doses. This corresponds to 86.8 and 84.4 percent, respectively, of Sweden's over-12 population. A total of 4,904,779 people over the age of 18 have had three doses – 59.4 percent of that age group.
Sweden's decision to rely on voluntary measures rather than a strict lockdown to handle the Covid-19 pandemic was "fundamentally correct", but there were several things the government should have done differently, the final report by the Coronavirus Commission concluded today.
We've been running this blog for almost two years. We started it to keep readers informed about new infections and changes to restrictions, recommendations and testing rules, and kept it completely paywall-free. But we’ve reached a new stage of the pandemic, and it feels like the blog has served its purpose. Today will also be the last time we update the blog. But the pandemic itself, its impact on people, and The Local’s coverage, are not over. We'll keep covering it in other articles on www.thelocal.se. You can always keep in touch with our editorial team on [email protected]. Our editor explains the decision in more depth here.
February 24th:
Sweden has confirmed 2,437,850 cases of coronavirus to date. A total of 17,083 people have died since the start of the pandemic within 30 days of testing positive, and 8,869 Covid-19 patients have received intensive care.
A total of 7,803,088 people aged over 12 have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 7,579,223 have received two doses. This corresponds to 86.8 and 84.3 percent, respectively, of Sweden's over-12 population. A total of 4,879,284 people over the age of 18 have had three doses – 59.1 percent of that age group.
February 23rd:
Sweden has confirmed 2,434,783 cases of coronavirus to date. A total of 17,064 people have died since the start of the pandemic within 30 days of testing positive, and 8,868 Covid-19 patients have received intensive care.
At the time of writing (2pm on Wednesday), no updated data on the number of vaccinations have been published by the Public Health Agency.
February 22nd:
Sweden has confirmed 2,431,365 cases of coronavirus to date. A total of 16,933 people have died since the start of the pandemic within 30 days of testing positive, and 8,852 Covid-19 patients have received intensive care.
A total of 7,801,398 people aged over 12 have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 7,574,097 have received two doses. This corresponds to 86.7 and 84.2 percent, respectively, of Sweden's over-12 population. A total of 4,838,182 people over the age of 18 have had three doses – 58.6 percent of that age group.
The Public Health Agency published yesterday two possible scenarios for the Covid pandemic in the upcoming months. Here's The Local's article for more details.
February 18th:
Sweden has confirmed 2,422,856 cases of coronavirus to date. A total of 16,852 people have died since the start of the pandemic within 30 days of testing positive, and 8,817 Covid-19 patients have received intensive care.
A total of 7,798,800 people aged over 12 have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 7,566,261 have received two doses. This corresponds to 86.7 and 84.1 percent, respectively, of Sweden's over-12 population. A total of 4,768,427 people over the age of 18 have had three doses – 57.7 percent of that age group.
February 17th:
Sweden has confirmed 2,418,560 cases of coronavirus to date. A total of 16,768 people have died since the start of the pandemic within 30 days of testing positive, and 8,809 Covid-19 patients have received intensive care.
A total of 7,797,458 people aged over 12 have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 7,562,165 have received two doses. This corresponds to 86.7 and 84.1 percent, respectively, of Sweden's over-12 population. A total of 4,724,809 people over the age of 18 have had three doses – 57.2 percent of that age group.
February 16th:
Sweden has confirmed 2,414,463 cases of coronavirus to date. A total of 16,716 people have died since the start of the pandemic within 30 days of testing positive, and 8,805 Covid-19 patients have received intensive care.
A total of 7,796,228 people aged over 12 have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 7,558,474 have received two doses. This corresponds to 86.7 and 84.0 percent, respectively, of Sweden's over-12 population. A total of 4,688,182 people over the age of 18 have had three doses – 56.4 percent of that age group.
February 15th:
Sweden has confirmed 2,409,081 cases of coronavirus to date. A total of 16,579 people have died since the start of the pandemic within 30 days of testing positive, and 8,795 Covid-19 patients have received intensive care.
A total of 7,795,253 people aged over 12 have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 7,555,705 have received two doses. This corresponds to 86.7 and 84.0 percent, respectively, of Sweden's over-12 population. A total of 4,659,529 people over the age of 18 have had three doses – 56.4 percent of that age group.
The Public Health Agency is now recommending a fourth Covid vaccine dose for care home residents, recipients of at-home care, and over-80s, to be given at least four months after dose three. These vaccinations are set to get under way next week.
Despite recently removing almost all Covid-19-related restrictions as well as ending testing of the general public, the pandemic is still ongoing in Sweden, with the agency describing the spread of infection in a new press release as “intensive”.
Third doses are available for over-18s in all Swedish regions. If you have not had yours yet and want to know how to book in your region, see The Local’s guide HERE.
February 11th:
Sweden has confirmed 2,397,330 cases of coronavirus to date. A total of 16,501 people have died since the start of the pandemic within 30 days of testing positive, and 8,770 Covid-19 patients have received intensive care.
A total of 7,791,817 people aged over 12 have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 7,546,350 have received two doses. This corresponds to 86.6 and 83.9 percent, respectively, of Sweden's over-12 population. A total of 4,551,390 people over the age of 18 have had three doses – 55.1 percent of that age group.
February 10th:
According to the most recent data, Sweden has confirmed 2,389,605 cases of coronavirus to date. A total of 16,395 people have died since the start of the pandemic within 30 days of testing positive, and 8,758 Covid-19 patients have received intensive care.
A total of 7,790,181 people aged over 12 have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 7,541,945 have received two doses. This corresponds to 86.6 and 83.8 percent, respectively, of Sweden's over-12 population. A total of 4,497,879 people over the age of 18 have had three doses – 54.4 percent of that age group.
In a press conference this afternoon, Sara Byfors from the Public Health Agency stated that the pandemic has entered a "new phase", but that "there is still a high level of infection in society" and that "there's a risk of becoming ill". She also repeated advice for those who are not yet vaccinated to do so, as well as for those over the age of 18 to get their booster dose.
In terms of travelling, Byfors recommended that travellers research possible destinations in terms of their Covid-19 advice, stating that "we don't have advice for certain countries".
February 9th:
Nearly all Covid restrictions and recommendations were removed in Sweden today – a day people have been either dreading, looking forward to, or both at the same time, at least judging from the responses The Local got to our reader survey.
Some of the recommendations that remain in place are that if you have symptoms that may be a sign of Covid-19, you should stay home and avoid close contact with others, and unvaccinated adults should avoid crowded spaces, and large crowds indoors at all times.
The general public will starting today no longer be able to get a PCR test for free, but staff and patients in the healthcare and elderly care sectors should still get tested if they have symptoms. We'll keep publishing the Public Health Agency's available data on the pandemic for now, but bear in mind that the new testing limitations are likely to have a significant effect on the number of new infections.
According to the most recent data, Sweden has confirmed 2,372,637 cases of coronavirus to date. A total of 16,358 people have died since the start of the pandemic within 30 days of testing positive, and 8,735 Covid-19 patients have received intensive care.
A total of 7,788,566 people aged over 12 have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 7,537,528 have received two doses. This corresponds to 86.6 and 83.8 percent, respectively, of Sweden's over-12 population. A total of 4,438,841 people over the age of 18 have had three doses – 53.7 percent of that age group.
February 8th:
You may have noticed that The Local looks quite different today. After several years with the same design we decided last year that it was high time to give the site a makeover. Please bear with us as we work through any bugs that will inevitably crop up – in the meantime you can read more HERE about how the new design is meant to work, and we would love to get your feedback!
Sweden has confirmed 2,354,455 cases of coronavirus to date. A total of 16,244 people have died since the start of the pandemic within 30 days of testing positive, and 8,712 Covid-19 patients have received intensive care.
A total of 7,787,020 people aged over 12 have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 7,534,073 have received two doses. This corresponds to 86.6 and 83.8 percent, respectively, of Sweden's over-12 population. A total of 4,384,112 people over the age of 18 have had three doses – 53.1 percent of that age group.
From tomorrow it will be possible to travel to Sweden from the rest of the EU/EEA and the Nordics without showing a Covid pass, as the country prepares to lift all border restrictions for the union.
February 4th:
Sweden has confirmed 2,287,785 cases of coronavirus to date. A total of 16,180 people have died since the start of the pandemic within 30 days of testing positive, and 8,659 Covid-19 patients have received intensive care.
A total of 7,782,719 people aged over 12 have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 7,524,799 have received two doses. This corresponds to 86.5 and 83.7 percent, respectively, of Sweden's over-12 population. A total of 4,235,257 people over the age of 18 have had three doses – 51.3 percent of that age group.
Swedish authorities are planning to lift Covid-19 restrictions on February 9th. But what does this mean for the non-EU entry ban? We put the question to the government in this article. A Health Ministry spokesperson told us that as a first step they'll remove restrictions for people travelling from the Nordic countries (though it's not clear when), but didn't have any information on the rest of the EU or non EU arrivals.
February 3rd:
Sweden has confirmed 2,259,656 cases of coronavirus to date. A total of 16,100 people have died since the start of the pandemic within 30 days of testing positive, and 8,645 Covid-19 patients have received intensive care.
A total of 7,780,435 people aged over 12 have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 7,520,144 have received two doses. This corresponds to 86.5 and 83.6 percent, respectively, of Sweden's over-12 population. A total of 4,156,020 people over the age of 18 have had three doses – 50.3 percent of that age group.
Sweden's government announced today that the majority of restrictions against Covid-19 will be removed on Wednesday next week, and testing will be limited to staff and patients in the healthcare and elderly care sectors. See The Local's article here for details.
February 2nd:
Sweden has confirmed 2,223,115 cases of coronavirus to date. A total of 16,028 people have died since the start of the pandemic within 30 days of testing positive, and 8,630 Covid-19 patients have received intensive care.
A total of 7,778,355 people aged over 12 have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 7,515,723 have received two doses. This corresponds to 86.5 and 83.6 percent, respectively, of Sweden's over-12 population. A total of 4,084,573 people over the age of 18 have had three doses – 49.4 percent of that age group.
February 1st:
Sweden has confirmed 2,183,910 cases of coronavirus to date. A total of 15,961 people have died since the start of the pandemic within 30 days of testing positive, and 8,621 Covid-19 patients have received intensive care.
A total of 7,776,581 people aged over 12 have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 7,512,122 have received two doses. This corresponds to 86.5 and 83.5 percent, respectively, of Sweden's over-12 population. A total of 4,030,372 people over the age of 18 have had three doses – 48.8 percent of that age group.
From February 1st, the Public Health Agency is using population figures from November 11th, 2021, to calculate the percentage of the population who have been vaccinated. Previous figures used were from December 31st, 2020. This has affected the vaccination total, as people who died between December 31st, 2020, and November 11th, 2021, have now been removed from the total. This is why the number of vaccinated individuals is lower today for one- and two-dose vaccinations than it was last week.
The Public Health agency has cut the waiting period for booster doses from five months to three. The new recommendations come three weeks after Sweden reduced the booster waiting time from six to five months, a decision that came later than many other European countries.
Starting today, foreign residents who got vaccinated in a third country are able to apply for a Swedish Covid vaccine pass. But only if they live in or are able to travel to Stockholm – everyone else will have to wait.
January 28th:
Sweden has confirmed 2,070,456 cases of coronavirus to date. A total of 15,855 people have died since the start of the pandemic within 30 days of testing positive, and 8,576 Covid-19 patients have received intensive care.
At the time of writing, new vaccination data for Friday had not yet been released.
Sweden will not at this stage recommend Covid-19 vaccinations for all children aged five to 11, the Public Health Agency said yesterday. It recommends jabs only for children who are at risk, and for everyone from the age of 12 and above.
January 27th:
Sweden has confirmed 2,015,276 cases of coronavirus to date. A total of 15,778 people have died since the start of the pandemic within 30 days of testing positive, and 8,549 Covid-19 patients have received intensive care.
Out of 558,000 people who got tested last week, 42 percent of tests came back positive, according to figures released at the health authorities weekly press conference today.
A total of 7,832,031 people aged over 12 have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 7,550,199 have received two doses. This corresponds to 86.7 and 83.6 percent, respectively, of Sweden's over-12 population. A total of 3,770,192 people over the age of 18 have had three doses – 45.4 percent of that age group.
Sweden today extended its border restrictions until March 31st for non-EU/EEA arrivals, and removed visitors from Argentina, Australia and Canada from the list of "exempt countries".
- Sweden’s travel ban: The difference between exempt and approved countries
January 26th:
Sweden has confirmed 1,973,485 cases of coronavirus to date. A total of 15,768 people have died since the start of the pandemic within 30 days of testing positive, and 8,527 Covid-19 patients have received intensive care.
A total of 7,828,555 people aged over 12 have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 7,543,618 have received two doses. This corresponds to 86.6 and 83.5 percent, respectively, of Sweden's over-12 population. A total of 3,680,402 people over the age of 18 have had three doses – 44.3 percent of that age group.
Sweden may lift most of its Covid restrictions starting February 9th, if the ongoing outbreak of the Omicron variant peaks by then and vaccinations continue apace, Health Minister Lena Hallengren told a press conference today. She said further details would come next week, but here's what we know so far.
Karin Tegmark Wisell, director-general of the Public Health Agency, told the same press conference that 270,000 new cases had been confirmed with PCR tests in the past seven days, but that the agency believes that the outbreak is currently so widespread that the true figure could be a least half a million people a week. Sweden's population is more than 10 million people.
EU countries have agreed to make it easier for anyone with an EU Covid-19 certificate to travel within the bloc without having to face any further restrictions such as tests or quarantine. It would mean those with an EU Covid certificate, which proves vaccination, recovery or a negative test, would be allowed to travel freely within the EU or Schengen zone without the need for extra tests or quarantine, even if they were coming from a country with high Covid infection rates.
January 25th:
Sweden has confirmed 1,922,990 cases of coronavirus to date. A total of 15,693 people have died since the start of the pandemic within 30 days of testing positive, and 8,507 Covid-19 patients have received intensive care.
A total of 7,825,580 people aged over 12 have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 7,538,117 have received two doses. This corresponds to 86.6 and 83.4 percent, respectively, of Sweden's over-12 population. A total of 3,608,460 people over the age of 18 have had three doses – 43.4 percent of that age group.
Swedish hospitals usually carry out around 560,000 operations in a normal year. That figure had already dropped by 133,000 before the coronavirus pandemic hit, and then kept falling – ending up at 169,000 fewer operations in 2021, reports the TT newswire today. Although it varies between regions, the main problem now is not a limited number of ICU beds, but rather staff shortages because a lot of staff are at home with Covid, quarantining because a family member is ill, or looking after a sick child.
Staff shortages are a problem in many schools too. In Stockholm, 22 percent of staff in the municipality's schools were absent due to illness or quarantine – almost four times more than the same week last year, reports Swedish newspaper Dagens Nyheter.
Omicron has taken hold in Sweden, and the high demand on testing facilities has led to delays for booking tests, as well as changes in testing rules. So who should get tested, and how can they book? Here's The Local's guide to the current guidelines in Sweden.
January 21st:
Sweden has confirmed 1,784,005 cases of coronavirus to date. A total of 15,674 people have died since the start of the pandemic within 30 days of testing positive, and 8,471 Covid-19 patients have received intensive care.
A total of 7,815,401 people aged over 12 have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 7,519,284 have received two doses. This corresponds to 86.5 and 83.2 percent, respectively, of Sweden's over-12 population. A total of 3,387,383 people over the age of 18 have had three doses – 40.8 percent of that age group.
January 20th:
Sweden has confirmed 1,741,710 cases of coronavirus to date. A total of 15,631 people have died since the start of the pandemic within 30 days of testing positive, and 8,457 Covid-19 patients have received intensive care.
A total of 7,810,521 people aged over 12 have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 7,508,711 have received two doses. This corresponds to 86.4 and 83.1 percent, respectively, of Sweden's over-12 population. A total of 3,291,985 people over the age of 18 have had three doses – 39.6 percent of that age group.
The Public Health Agency announced changes to quarantine regulations today - the folllowing groups of people no longer need to stay home if a member of their household has Covid-19, if they do not have symptoms themselves: those vaccinated with a booster, those who have had Covid-19 within the last three months, and some key workers, provided that other risk-reducing measures are taken.
Those with confirmed Covid-19 must no longer isolate for a full week - this has now been shortened to five days, provided that they are feeling better and have been fever-free for 48 hours. Here's The Local's rundown of the new rules.
January 19th:
Sweden has confirmed 1,700,336 cases of coronavirus to date. A total of 15,625 people have died since the start of the pandemic within 30 days of testing positive, and 8,451 Covid-19 patients have received intensive care.
The Public Health Agency's statistics for the period spanning January 1st-17th 2022 were updated today – this means that individuals testing positive for Covid-19 a second time within six months are included in the total number of positive cases once. Previously, the limit was 12 months.
A total of 7,806,103 people aged over 12 have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 7,498,841 have received two doses. This corresponds to 86.4 and 83 percent, respectively, of Sweden's over-12 population. A total of 3,197,032 people over the age of 18 have had three doses – 38.5 percent of that age group.
Several readers have told The Local that their airlines refused to let them fly unless they could present a negative Covid-19 test, despite being covered by exemptions from testing requirements.
January 18th:
Sweden has confirmed 1,657,611 cases of coronavirus to date. A total of 15,558 people have died since the start of the pandemic within 30 days of testing positive, and 8,440 Covid-19 patients have received intensive care.
A total of 7,802,840 people aged over 12 have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 7,491,734 have received two doses. This corresponds to 86.4 and 82.9 percent, respectively, of Sweden's over-12 population. A total of 3,135,430 people over the age of 18 have had three doses – 37.7 percent of that age group.
Sweden will on Friday scrap the Covid test requirement for foreign visitors from some countries and bring back the vaccine pass rules that applied before December 28th. You can read more about that in English in The Local's article HERE.
The Omicron outbreak in Sweden is reflected not only in a high infection rate but also in the amount of sick leave people are claiming from the Social Insurance Agency. We've got more information about that in The Local's daily news roundup, Today in Sweden.
The Swedish government has formally decided to cap the maximum number of people allowed at indoor public events to 500, which will come into force on Wednesday. But if the area can be sectioned off into smaller areas, the cap will apply to each section.
People holding private events in public venues will not be allowed to invite more than 20 people, with the exception of funerals where a maximum of 50 will be allowed. Covid vaccine passes are required at events attended by more than 50 people.
January 14th:
Sweden has confirmed 1,560,363 cases of coronavirus to date. A total of 15,513 people have died since the start of the pandemic within 30 days of testing positive, and 8,392 Covid-19 patients have received intensive care.
A total of 7,791,147 people aged over 12 have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 7,468,000 have received two doses. This corresponds to 86.2 and 82.7 percent, respectively, of Sweden's over-12 population. A total of 2,941,448 people over the age of 18 have had three doses – 35.4 percent of that age group.
Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson has tested positive for Covid-19, the third party leader to get a positive test result after a cross-party meeting this week. She joins Green Party Leader Per Bolund and Centre Party Leader Annie Lööf, who both tested positive earlier in the week.
January 13th:
Sweden has confirmed 1,534,797 cases of coronavirus to date. A total of 15,482 people have died since the start of the pandemic within 30 days of testing positive, and 8,376 Covid-19 patients have received intensive care.
Sweden confirmed 1,769 new infections per 100,000 people in total over the last two weeks. Out of 414,394 people who got a PCR test last week, 32 percent were positive.
A total of 7,785,590 people aged over 12 have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 7,455,886 have received two doses. This corresponds to 86.2 and 82.5 percent, respectively, of Sweden's over-12 population. A total of 2,861,926 people over the age of 18 have had three doses – 34.5 percent of that age group.
The Public Health Agency now recommends that the interval for booster vaccinations be shortened to five months for everyone over the age of 18. In a statement on Wednesday afternoon, it said regions should prioritise people over the age of 50 and people aged 18-49 who belong to risk groups. To find out how to book a vaccine in your region, go to the 1177.se healthcare website and click välj region at the top of the page.
January 12th:
Sweden has confirmed 1,509,230 cases of coronavirus to date. A total of 15,462 people have died since the start of the pandemic within 30 days of testing positive, and 8,361 Covid-19 patients have received intensive care.
A total of 7,780,680 people aged over 12 have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 7,445,741 have received two doses. This corresponds to 86.1 and 82.4 percent, respectively, of Sweden's over-12 population. A total of 2,795,018 people over the age of 18 have had three doses – 33.7 percent of that age group.
Sweden’s big city regions – Stockholm, Västra Götaland and Skåne – last week all reported the highest number of new Covid cases in one week during the pandemic. Stockholm’s infectious disease doctor said in a statement that more than 40 percent of tests in the region are currently coming back positive, with Omicron dominating. Here's more about that in The Local's daily news roundup.
Swedish radio reports that regions may get the go-ahead this week to shorten the interval between the second and third dose of the Covid vaccine from six to five months for all adults. We'll report more on The Local as soon as there's confirmation.
January 11th:
Sweden has confirmed 1,487,291 cases of coronavirus to date. A total of 15,431 people have died since the start of the pandemic within 30 days of testing positive, and 8,347 Covid-19 patients have received intensive care.
A total of 7,777,203 people aged over 12 have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 7,439,495 have received two doses. This corresponds to 86.1 and 82.3 percent, respectively, of Sweden's over-12 population. A total of 2,748,544 people over the age of 18 have had three doses – 33.1 percent of that age group.
A series of new Covid measures will come into force in Sweden on Wednesday, including forcing restaurants to close at 11pm and urging adults to limit their "close contacts" indoors by avoiding for example large dinners or parties. Here is The Local's guide on what you need to know.
“It is undoubtedly the case that the situation has deteriorated. The spread of infection in Sweden is at historically high levels,” said Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson as she announced the new restrictions and recommendations.
An Irish woman told The Local she has "no confidence any more in travelling" after she, her husband and their two small children were held at a Swedish airport overnight over missing Covid test results before being sent back to Ireland. The family had regularly checked EU website Re-open EU – an EU-wide website updated by country authorities – for travel advice prior to the trip, and believed their documents were in order as they were fully vaccinated. But on the morning of the day they travelled, Sweden's regulations were updated to require foreign visitors to present a negative test. Here's The Local's interview with her, the Swedish police and Re-open EU officials.
January 7th:
Sweden has confirmed 1,416,650 cases of coronavirus to date. A total of 15,377 people have died since the start of the pandemic within 30 days of testing positive, and 8,311 Covid-19 patients have received intensive care.
A total of 23,877 new cases were confirmed on January 5th. This is now the highest number of confirmed daily infections during the entire pandemic.
A total of 7,771,337 people aged over 12 have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 7,430,541 have received two doses. This corresponds to 86.0 and 82.2 percent, respectively, of Sweden's over-12 population. A total of 2,685,381 people over the age of 18 have had three doses – 32.3 percent of that age group.
January 5th:
Sweden has confirmed 1,375,267 cases of coronavirus to date. A total of 15,369 people have died since the start of the pandemic within 30 days of testing positive, and 8,275 Covid-19 patients have received intensive care.
In the last two weeks (not including this week), Sweden confirmed a total of 841 new infections per 100,000 people, said the Public Health Agency's expert Britta Björkholm at today's press conference. A total of 327,024 people were tested for Covid-19 last week, and 19 percent came back positive (the week before that the proportion of positive tests was 9 percent).
Omicron is now the dominant variant in Sweden, said Björkholm.
More than 17,000 new cases were confirmed on January 4th. This is now the highest number of confirmed daily infections during the entire pandemic.
A total of 7,761,586 people aged over 12 have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 7,412,643 have received two doses. This corresponds to 85.9 and 82 percent, respectively, of Sweden's over-12 population. A total of 2,569,418 people over the age of 18 have had three doses – 30.9 percent of that age group.
The government has granted the Public Health Agency the power to extend vaccine passes to restaurants and other venues, if it believes it is necessary. But Björkholm told today's press conference that the agency had not yet decided whether or not to actually extend the scheme.
January 4th:
Sweden has confirmed 1,357,753 cases of coronavirus to date. A total of 15,330 people have died since the start of the pandemic within 30 days of testing positive, and 8,275 Covid-19 patients have received intensive care. Today's update also tells us that Sweden confirmed 11,507 new infections on December 30th – the highest number of confirmed daily infections during the entire pandemic.
A total of 7,757,998 people aged over 12 have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 7,406,964 have received two doses. This corresponds to 85.9 and 82 percent, respectively, of Sweden's over-12 population. A total of 2,524,519 people over the age of 18 have had three doses – 30.4 percent of that age group.
People applying for a Swedish Covid pass via post can expect long delays - up to six weeks, the Dagens Nyheter newspaper reports. Here is our guide on how to get your Swedish Covid-19 pass.
King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia have both tested positive for Covid-19, the Royal Court of Sweden has confirmed.
Starting today, all adults in Stockholm will be offered their Covid booster vaccine six months after their second dose.
December 30th:
Sweden has confirmed 1,314,784 cases of coronavirus to date. A total of 15,310 people have died since the start of the pandemic within 30 days of testing positive, and 8,219 Covid-19 patients have received intensive care.
A total of 7,753,150 people aged over 12 have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 7,381,069 have received two doses. This corresponds to 85.8 and 81.7 percent, respectively, of Sweden's over-12 population. A total of 2,468,482 of over-18s have had three doses – 29.7 percent of that age group. Here's The Local's guide to how to book your booster dose in each Swedish region.
At least 600 people travelling from Denmark have been denied entry to Sweden since the latter country introduced a new requirement for entry Covid-19 tests on December 28th, border police in southern Sweden confirmed to Danish newswire Ritzau. The Swedish police did not give exact details on the number of Danish citizens who were among the refusals, but said they constituted the “considerable majority”.
We will update this blog next on Monday. We wish all of our readers a happy 2022, with hopes of better times ahead.
December 29th:
Sweden has confirmed 1,303,663 cases of coronavirus to date. A total of 15,297 people have died since the start of the pandemic within 30 days of testing positive, and 8,214 Covid-19 patients have received intensive care. At the time of writing, the vaccination data that's available via the Public Health Agency's website has not been updated since yesterday.
The number of confirmed new Covid-19 cases increased 14 percent in the week of Christmas, according to a preliminary analysis by the Public Health Agency.
Around 10,000 households in the city of Borås, western Sweden, did not get their post on Monday after around 50 staff fell ill in a Covid outbreak, reported public radio broadcaster Sveriges Radio P4’s local station in the Sjuhärad area.
A company that operated a clinic which issued false Covid certificates in Gothenburg has gone into liquidation, reports western Swedish newspaper Göteborgs-Posten.
December 28th:
This is the first day since before the Christmas holidays that we get updated data on new infections and vaccinations.
There is likely still a Christmas lag, but we know that Sweden has confirmed 1,294,560 cases of coronavirus to date. A total of 15,265 people have died since the start of the pandemic within 30 days of testing positive, and 8,203 Covid-19 patients have received intensive care.
The number of patients currently receiving intensive care for Covid-19 continued to rise over Christmas and has now passed 100.
A total of 7,746,286 people aged over 12 have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 7,370,712 have received two doses. This corresponds to 85.7 and 81.6 percent, respectively, of Sweden's over-12 population. A total of 2,399,970 of over-18s have had three doses – 28.9 percent of that age group. Here's The Local's guide to how to book your booster dose in each Swedish region.
Starting today, many foreign travellers need to show a negative Covid test to be allowed to enter Sweden, regardless of whether or not they are fully vaccinated. Here's what you need to know about the new rules and which Covid tests are considered valid for entry.
In a new article, The Local's readers share their best advice for travelling to and from Sweden over the holidays as pandemic restrictions and staff shortages cause delays and cancellations.
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