Sweden reports 21,802 new COVID-19 cases, 35 deaths since Friday

The figure compared with 16,427 cases during the corresponding period last week. The country of 10 million inhabitants registered 35 new deaths, taking the total to 13,533. The deaths registered have occurred over several days and sometimes weeks and could be less accurate than normal due to the Easter holiday last week.

Sweden, which has shunned lockdowns throughout the pandemic, has registered 21,802 new coronavirus cases since Friday, health agency statistics showed on Tuesday. The figure compared with 16,427 cases during the corresponding period last week.

The country of 10 million inhabitants registered 35 new deaths, taking the total to 13,533. The deaths registered have occurred over several days and sometimes weeks and could be less accurate than normal due to the Easter holiday last week. 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.