STOCKHOLM (Reuters) – The number of Swedes needing intensive care as a result of COVID infection increased 9% compared to last week as the country grapples with a third wave of the virus, health officials said on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Sweden, which has shunned lockdowns throughout the pandemic, registered 16,427 new coronavirus cases since Friday, up from the 14,063 cases during the corresponding period last week.<\/p>\n
A total of 1,552 COVID patients were being treated in hospitals. Just over 300 were admitted to intensive care units during the period, an increase of 9% compared to last week.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe pressure on the healthcare has been high for a long time now,\u201d Taha Alexandersson, an official at the National Board of Health and Welfare, told a news conference. \u201cThe increased spread indicates it will increase even more.\u201d<\/p>\n
Earlier on Tuesday the Health Agency recommended the government postpone a plan to ease some restrictions, such raising the limit on the number of visitors to amusement parks, concerts and football matches. [L8N2LS1OO]<\/p>\n
The country of 10 million inhabitants registered 28 new deaths, taking the total to 13,430 . The deaths registered have occurred over several days and sometimes weeks.<\/p>\n
Sweden\u2019s death rate per capita is many times higher than that of its Nordic neighbours\u2019 but lower than in most European countries that opted for lockdowns.<\/p>\n