Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven said on Thursday he was self-isolating due to possible exposure to the coronavirus.
In a post on Facebook, Lofven said that he on Wednesday had learned that a person in his vicinity had been in close contact with a person who had tested positive for the novel coronavirus.
Acting on the advice of his doctor, lofven said he and his wife, Ulla, were to self-isolate and he would work remotely until further notice.
"We are fine and have no symptoms," he said, adding they were to take a test as soon as possible.
The incident was a reminder of the need to be careful and heed recommendations issued by the health authorities to stem the spread of the virus, he added.
Earlier this week, Lofven, 63, cautioned that "the situation is heading in the wrong direction - the situation is very serious."
Infections increasing
He noted that seven in 10 people in Sweden were living in regions where caseloads have increased and residents were advised to refrain from visits to shopping centres, museums, libraries, swimming pools and fitness centres.
Other advice was to avoid public transport and to work from home where possible, and for people to avoid meeting with others outside their own household.
The country of 10.3 million had as of Wednesday recorded about 138,000 infections and almost 6,000 coronavirus-related deaths in total.
