Sweden reports first domestic case of COVID-19

Sweden recorded its first domestic case of COVID-19 on Monday as the total number of infected individuals rose to 260, among them the deputy governor of Sweden's Central Bank.

A patient at the St. Goran Hospital in the capital Stockholm was diagnosed with the novel coronavirus on Monday and a second patient initially tested positive for the virus but has not yet been confirmed as infected.

The two patients reportedly do not know each other and are being treated in different wards. "Neither of the patients have traveled to a risk zone and they have not been in touch with individuals who have been confirmed as infected," the St. Goran Hospital wrote in a statement.

"This could be a sign that we now have the first case of a domestic contamination," infectious disease specialist Per Follin told newspaper Dagens Nyheter.

Around 20 hospital employees who had been in contact with the two patients have been told not to return to work for the time being.

Also on Monday, the deputy governor of Sweden's Central Bank -- the Riksbank -- tested positive for COVID-19.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)