Sweden sees highest daily number of COVID cases since December

STOCKHOLM: Sweden, which has rejected lockdowns throughout the pandemic, registered its highest number of new cases since the end of last year on Thursday amid what authorities said was flagging compliance with the mainly voluntary recommendations to curb the spread of the virus.

Sweden is experiencing a third wave of COVID-19 with a sharp rise in cases in recent weeks after a slowdown in January and February. The country, which hit the global spotlight with its soft-touch approach to fighting the virus, registered 7,706 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, the highest since Dec. 30. "Unfortunately, the negative trend for infections continues, just as in many other countries in Europe now," Chief Epidemiologist Anders Tegnell told a news conference.