Number of coronavirus deaths in Sweden rises to 20
Authorities in Sweden reported on Saturday that the number of coronavirus linked deaths had risen to 20 and the number of people intensive care in hospitals was increasing.
On Saturday morning, 61 people were being treated in intensive care throughout the country's hospitals, compared to 50 people on Friday, figures from the Swedish Intensive Care Register show.
The average age of those in intensive care at the moment is 62.9 years.
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Sweden is currently at 1746. But due to a change in how testing is carried out in order to best prioritise resources in the healthcare sector, the actual number of cases in Sweden is likely to be higher than the confirmed figure.
Sweden has changed the approach it's taking to coronavirus tests recently.
Authorities have shifted their focus away from testing all possible cases, and instead on protecting the most vulnerable groups. People with severe respiratory symptoms or who belong to a risk group will still be tested.
"The previous strategy of catching all cases of illness, by testing people who get symptoms after travelling in certain areas abroad, is no longer the most effective," the Public Health Agency said. "This means that everyone who is sick with cold- or flu-like symptoms should be at home so as not to risk spreading the infection to others."
That means anyone who is generally healthy but has symptoms of the coronavirus (including a fever and cough) is advised to stay at home and limit social contact until they have been symptom-free for at least two days, but they may not be tested.
READ ALSO: All the latest news about coronavirus in Sweden (paywall free)
Comments
See Also
On Saturday morning, 61 people were being treated in intensive care throughout the country's hospitals, compared to 50 people on Friday, figures from the Swedish Intensive Care Register show.
The average age of those in intensive care at the moment is 62.9 years.
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Sweden is currently at 1746. But due to a change in how testing is carried out in order to best prioritise resources in the healthcare sector, the actual number of cases in Sweden is likely to be higher than the confirmed figure.
Sweden has changed the approach it's taking to coronavirus tests recently.
Authorities have shifted their focus away from testing all possible cases, and instead on protecting the most vulnerable groups. People with severe respiratory symptoms or who belong to a risk group will still be tested.
"The previous strategy of catching all cases of illness, by testing people who get symptoms after travelling in certain areas abroad, is no longer the most effective," the Public Health Agency said. "This means that everyone who is sick with cold- or flu-like symptoms should be at home so as not to risk spreading the infection to others."
That means anyone who is generally healthy but has symptoms of the coronavirus (including a fever and cough) is advised to stay at home and limit social contact until they have been symptom-free for at least two days, but they may not be tested.
READ ALSO: All the latest news about coronavirus in Sweden (paywall free)
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.