By NewsDesk  @infectiousdiseasenews

Sweden’s Public Health Authority, or Folkhalsomyndigheten reported that the number of COVID-19 cases in the country has risen to 3,700 as of Sunday.

This includes over 2,000 cases reported in the Stockholm Region. 110 fatalities have been reported in the country.

The increase in cases has prompted health officials to propose that the government should further limit the permitted number of participants at public gatherings and public events, from 500 to 50.

The spread of infection has now reached such a level that the Public Health Authority considers that further restrictions may be justified. The Public Health Authority therefore proposes that the government lower the permitted limit for the number of participants from 500 to 50 people.

For events not covered by the regulation, the Public Health Authority also intends to prepare general advice, that is, general recommendations, to protect against the spread of infection.

These are new measures that, together with those we already have in place, can further slow the rate of increase in the spread of infection in society. The purpose is to protect the fragile groups and to reduce the burden on healthcare, says Director General Johan Carlson.

The regulation entails restrictions on the freedom of assembly and demonstration, which are protected in the Constitution. Therefore, if the government decides in accordance with the proposal of the Public Health Authority, the regulation should be continuously reviewed so as not to apply for longer than necessary.

For example, private parties, corporate events, libraries, swimming pools and the like are not affected by the proposal, nor are schools. The ban also does not apply to those staying in larger crowds at, for example, public transport, squares, shopping malls and the like.