Swedish premier to country: "More people getting infected, more dying"

Sweden is being tested by the coronavirus pandemic, Prime Minister Stefan Lofven said on Sunday, urging the country to "pull together" to reduce the rising caseload.

"The little breather we had during the summer and autumn is over," Lofven said in a speech to the nation.

"More people are getting infected. More intensive care beds are used for very sick patients with Covid-19. More are dying," he said.

Televised speeches of this nature are not common in Sweden. Lofven held one in March during the initial stage of the pandemic, and in 2017 after a terrorist attack in Stockholm.

Lofven underlined the importance of acting as a nation where all individuals have a great responsibility, but noted that the autumn has not developed favourably in terms of the spread of infection.

"Too many have neglected to follow advice and recommendations. But now we see how people are starting to take responsibility again," Lofven said, citing how travel flows have reduced and more people were working from home.

Over 6,400 deaths

"Sweden is being tested. But Sweden will stand the test," the prime minister said, noting that health services were operating, houses and roads were being built, and children were at school.

The country of 10.3 million has seen roughly 208,300 infections and over 6,400 coronavirus-related deaths in total.

Compared to its neighbours, Sweden has adopted far less stringent measures to stem the spread of the virus.

A ban on night-time alcohol sales entered into force on Friday, and effective as of Tuesday public gatherings were to be limited to eight people from the previous cap of 50.