The number of patients in Sweden who need hospital care due to covid-19 is currently increasing rapidly.

One week ago, 627 patients were hospitalized.

This week, the number is 1,004, of which 125 are in the intensive care unit.

According to recent figures from the country's 21 healthcare regions, SVT Nyheter has read about it.

Record number in Skåne

In the Skåne region, 111 patients are treated in hospitals.

This is the highest number since the pandemic started.

Pia Lundbom, director of health and medical care in Region Skåne, is concerned about the development.

- We now see that the increased spread of infection leads to an increased burden on healthcare.

This is exactly what we have feared and it is serious in several ways, both in the short and long term.

Skåne in particular was initially more spared than the rest of the country when it comes to the spread of infection, but is now experiencing, just like many other regions, a large increase in the number of disease cases.

- The infection is most spread in workplaces and at social gatherings.

So it is extremely important that everyone who can work from home and that everyone avoids, even if it feels boring, going to parties, family reunions and other social gatherings, says Eva Melander, infection control doctor in Region Skåne in a press release.

Stockholm: The situation is serious

In absolute terms, the largest increase in the number of healthcare facilities has taken place in Stockholm.

There, 349 people are currently being cared for in hospitals, compared with 203 during the previous week.

- The effort for our emergency hospitals is great, says Stockholm's director of health and medical care Björn Eriksson.

Capio St. Göran's Hospital, Danderyd Hospital, Södersjukhuset and Södertälje Hospital are all in staff mode to be able to take care of the increasing number of patients.

- We assess the situation as serious and increase coordination within the Stockholm Region in order to continue to be one step ahead, says Björn Eriksson.

Half as many as last spring

In terms of the whole country, the situation is not yet as serious as last spring.

In mid-April, just over 2,000 patients were treated in hospitals in Sweden.

Since then, the number has fallen steadily for a few months.

But during the autumn, the curve has turned upwards again.

Three weeks ago, 276 people were hospitalized, compared to today's just over 1,000.