Swedish prime minister self-isolating after contact tested positive for COVID-19

Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven announced he’s voluntarily entering quarantine after a person close to him came into contact with another person who tested positive for the coronavirus. 

“A person in my vicinity has in turn stayed close to a person with confirmed COVID-19. They have tested negative but on the advice of doctors, my wife Ulla and I will keep isolated until further notice. I will work remotely. We are doing well and have no symptoms,” Lofven said on Facebook, adding that he will take a COVID-19 test “as soon as possible.”

“It’s the only responsible thing to do at this point.”

Lofven urged Swedes to listen to medical professionals and take other precautions, like washing hands frequently and staying home if symptoms arise.

Sweden raised eyebrows around the world earlier this year when it decided to keep schools, gyms and restaurants open and not issue a national mask mandate, though in past weeks it issued new restrictions such as limiting the number of people who can sit together at a restaurant to eight.

The Nordic country has had 141,764 confirmed coronavirus cases in total, including 4,034 new cases reported Thursday. Just over 6,000 people have died. The tallies surpass those of its neighboring countries, including Denmark, which has had 50,530 cases and 729 deaths, and Norway, which has counted 21,954 cases and only 282 deaths.