SVT News Blekinge has been in contact with several of the staff at the Blekinge Hospital who all testify to a great concern when the region is now lowering the requirements for the protective equipment to be used against the corona virus.

- The hygiene rules are constantly changing. Now we should not even have long sleeves and real mouthguards on us when we meet patients, says one of those with whom SVT News Blekinge spoke.

Protective equipment is starting to run out

All suspected coronary cases should be sent to the hospital in Karlskrona. An information that not all doctors in Karlshamn seem to have been aware of, according to the staff.

- The doctors send patients with suspected coronavirus to us in Karlshamn but we have no isolation possibilities and lack of protective equipment.

The staff also testify that the protective equipment to be used is running out.

- We therefore have to use the disposable protection visor several times.

"The tears are coming"

The situation is now so acute that personnel have started searching for their own protective equipment.

- Now I look on the internet for protection visors that I can buy for myself.

The directives are that protective clothing must be worn before the staff goes in to see a patient. After the visit, protective clothing should be removed inside the patients' rooms and left there.

- It doesn't feel okay that we have to change our protective clothing in the patient's room. The tears often come. But you can try to gather, says a health care employee.

"Understand that there is a concern"

Infection protection physician Bengt Wittesjö believes that the changed guidelines should not be seen as the region lowering the level of protection but instead adapting it.

- Of course, I can understand that there is a concern when you see things change quickly. At the same time, I have no reason to recommend anything that would jeopardize employees' health in any way, says Bengt Wittesjö.

Hear more of the infectious surgeon's response in the clip above.