Corona pandemic affects health care at all levels. Ambulance drivers Joni Rääf and Pelle Sandén estimate that a little more than half of all calls are currently linked to suspected coronary cases.

The picture is shared by several of their colleagues at Nacka fire station in Stockholm, where the cars are stationed.

"Nobody old yet"

When SVT News comes along during one working day, three of six alarms are about suspected coronary cases. All are middle-aged men, born in the seventies. They have fever and breathing problems.

- We have not driven in anyone who is old, says ambulance driver Joni Rääf.

- It was the same yesterday, he continues.

At least one of the patients they fetch during the day turns out to be ill in covid-19. Despite the diagnosis, he is deemed to be able to leave the hospital and return home some day later.

Most under 70

Having to meet relatively young patients draw on the forces, says Joni and Pelle.

Statistics from the Intensive Care Register show that about three quarters of the patients who have been in intensive care to date in Sweden are under 70 years old. But experience from the virus outbreak also shows that younger patients in most cases manage to recover.

However, among those who die as a result of the disease, the elderly stand out. Here are close to 9 out of 10 over 70 years.

Risk of infection

The risk of being infected yourself is something that both Joni and Pelle must carry with them at all times during work.

They feel safe today. But explains that the general lack of protective equipment is worrying. Without visors, mouth guards and plastic coveralls, it wouldn't feel safe to work, they say.

To save on the equipment, they go in and out to the patients one by one, while the other waits in the doorway.

After a 15-hour workout, the two ambulance drivers have time to reflect on the day.

- I'm tired, you get tired, says Joni Rääf.