Sweden heads for coronavirus third wave after infections rose 10% third week in a row

Sweden‘s Public Health Agency has warned the country is heading for a third coronavirus wave, with greater restrictions possibly being needed to slow the spread of the virus.

The number of new Covid-19 cases being reported in Sweden has risen by ten per cent for the third week in a row – with intensive care units now beginning to feel the strain. 

A number of new restrictions were put in place yesterday to help curb the potential third wave, including limited opening hours for shops and restaurants; the number of people allowed in shops and gyms were slashed and a maximum of eight people are allowed to meet at one time.

Despite this, in a press release, epidemiologist Anders Tegnell said that a third wave is imminent in Sweden if the current restrictions are not followed, Aftonbladet reports.

Over the weekend Sweden recorded 11,804 new coronavirus cases, with an additional 56 deaths as a result of the virus

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This was echoed by Sweden’s Public Health Agency (PHA), which warned that even tougher restrictions could be necessary if people do not follow the rules. 

Over the weekend Sweden recorded 11,804 new coronavirus cases, with an additional 56 deaths as a result of the virus.

Sweden’s death rate per capita is many times higher than that of its Nordic neighbours’ but lower than in several European countries that opted for lockdowns.

In preparation for the third wave, Sweden’s PHA has created three possible scenarios for the spread of Covid-19 until May 2021, labelled zero, one and two.

In scenario zero, it is assumed that the contacts remain at the same low level as during Christmas and New Year. 

In scenario one, the contacts correspond to the level during the autumn of 2020, while in scenario two, the increase in contacts is faster than in the autumn. 

‘The first scenario is a bit overplayed already. It was assumed that we would hold back our contacts even more,’  Anders Tegnell said.

‘We do not seem to be there. It looks like we are really on our way to a third wave.’

In a press release, epidemiologist Anders Tegnell (pictured) said that a third wave is imminent in Sweden if the current restrictions are not followed

With Sweden already heading towards scenarios one and two, more restrictions are likely to be enforced, though Tegnell was unable to outline where new measures would be implemented.

Instead he suggested that any new restrictions would be in response to relevant areas in which a large spread of Covid-19 occurs. 

However, one measure which has been proposed, is to set a maximum limit on the number of people admitted into shopping malls and department stores to just 500.

This change could be enforced as soon as March 6, but the Public Health Agency is also working on other measures. 

Speaking on the impact that vaccinations could have on the spread of coronavirus, Tegnell said that it will have little effect on the spread of the virus but would help keep the number of hospitalisations down.