Exactly who will be affected is not decided but is assessed daily by the care.

However, it is not expected to have to cancel the visits to which patients are already called.

- It can be some health checks, it can be paramedical activities such as physiotherapy and occupational therapy and that non-acute or non-cancer referrals have to wait a little longer for reception.

But this certainly does not apply to all operations, says Bo Tideholm, head of the surgery division.

Not as strenuous as last spring

At present, approximately 70 covid patients are cared for at the hospitals in Sörmland.

Although the situation is not as strained as last spring, when at most 150 patients were treated with corona, the region chooses to extend the care break.

- In the spring, we had many covid patients, but very few of the other patients, almost half, sought care at health centers and hospitals.

Now we have almost a normal influx of ordinary patients.

And we also have covid care, says Bo Tideholm.

Paused care for large parts of the year

The Sörmland region paused all non-emergency care between March and the last of August in 2020. As a result, only 47 per cent of all Sörmland residents received care under the care guarantee during the summer.

On the first of September, the region started regular activities and in November, 75 percent of the residents of Sörmland had received care under the care guarantee.

During the same period in 2019, the figure was about 80 percent.

But in November, the number of covid patients began to increase and the region introduced a temporary break for care that can wait.

The decision was to apply until 10 January, but was extended from 4 January until the end of January when the number of covid patients has not decreased.

The region wants to fulfill the care guarantee

Despite the pause in care that can wait, the region hopes that Sörmland residents will continue to be able to receive care according to the care guarantee to the same extent as in November.

- We may not continue to improve in the same way in how many receive care according to the care guarantee, but we hope to remain at the same level.