Sweden's COVID-19 hospitalizations reach all-time high

Sweden's COVID-19 hospitalizations hit a record high with a total of 2,389 patients in hospitals, 65 more than the previous peak registered in mid-April, reported Xinhua, quoting local media on Monday.

The record was set on Monday as Sweden brought in new national recommendations, replacing regional guidelines for containing the spread of the coronavirus, Swedish Television reported.

The new recommendations place more responsibility on the individual to practice social distancing and hygiene routines.

People are being urged to stay at home when showing symptoms, to work from home and to limit social interactions, particularly with those belonging to risk groups. They should also travel in a responsible way and avoid crowding, especially during the Christmas shopping season, according to the recommendations.

The capital of Stockholm is now under great pressure for health services. "Right now we are struggling to stay a step ahead," the city's health and medical care director Bjorn Eriksson said in a press statement.

"Our emergency wards are taking in as many ICU patients as they can and there are places available but our staff members are working very hard. We are working intensely to find ways of extending health care provision," Eriksson said.

The Public Health Agency's director-general Johan Carlson has said earlier that Sweden's second wave could peak around Christmas, and Prime Minister Stefan Lofven has urged the public to keep Christmas gatherings to a maximum of eight people and to avoid mixing outside one's own household.

A total of 160 new COVID-related deaths were reported on Friday, bringing the total number of fatalities to 7,514.

The country has so far confirmed 320,098 COVID-19 cases throughout the course of the pandemic and a total of 3,537 patients have received intensive care treatment.