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COVID-19: Sweden Targets 100,000 Tests Weekly

Testing for COVID-19 would be significantly increased as Sweden maintains its softer stance on curbing the spread of the novel coronavirus Sweden’s government said on Friday.

It would be rolled out over the coming weeks and primarily target those in key roles, such as police and firefighters, in addition to patients with severe symptoms and healthcare personnel who are already prioritized, to allow them to return to work faster after showing symptoms.

“We are talking about testing and analysis capacity of 50,000, perhaps as many as 100,000, a week,” Health Minister Lena Hallengren told a press conference.

So far almost 75,000 people have been tested in Sweden, Hallengren said.

The Public Health Agency said it had looked at the whole testing chain and would leverage new actors, such as employers, to collect samples via take-home kits and private sector companies to help analysis.

Sweden has not imposed the compulsory lockdown measures seen across Europe, instead urging people to take responsibility and follow official recommendations.

The government has banned gatherings of more than 50 people and barred visits to nursing homes.

On Thursday, Sweden reported 12,540 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 1,333 deaths.