Two weeks ago, the number of covid patients in Sweden was 276, now it is according to the latest figures from the regions 627.
In the Stockholm region, more than 200 patients are now being cared for, compared with 74 patients on 20 October.
- It has increased rapidly.
It is escalating just like in the rest of Europe, says Johan Styrud, chief physician at Danderyd Hospital and chairman of the Stockholm Medical Association.
"High time to act"
Although the situation was significantly more strained in the spring when more than 2,000 patients were cared for at the same time in Sweden, he believes that it is high time to act.
- We must be prepared to do as we did last spring, we must be prepared to rebuild the hospital into an epidemic hospital and remove all planned activities, says Johan Styrud.
Also in Örebro County, for example, the number of patients has increased rapidly.
From 4 on October 19 to 30 today.
- It is a worrying situation where we see a clear increase in the burden on healthcare, says Martin Widlund, operations manager at the infection clinic in Örebro.
The increased patient pressure also means tough challenges for staff who toiled hard during the spring.
- But we are ready to take care of the patients who come in now, says Martin Widlund.
"It stands and weighs"
Several of the regions are appealing to the residents that the recommendations must be complied with - otherwise there is a great risk that the situation will worsen further.
- It stands and weighs and it is now that it is decided.
Anyone who is young and strong and thinks that covid-19 is not so dangerous must think again.
It can be your own or your relatives' operation or treatment that is postponed when the care is overloaded by covid-19 patients, says Mikael Köhler, health and medical care director in the Uppsala Region.