Covid-19 cases in Sweden are falling sharply, the country's health agency said, even as nearly all pandemic-related restrictions were lifted less than a month ago, Reuters reports.

The government removed curbs on restaurant opening hours and attendance limits for indoor venues on Feb 9, in a move that drew criticism from scientists at the time.

The number of cases is difficult to assess in Sweden given reduced testing, but the proportion of positive cases and the number of patients requiring hospital care have both declined.

“There are no indications that the opening increased spread so we asses that it was relevant and correct,” Health Agency Director-General Karin Tegmark Wisell told a news conference.