Oslo will not ease the most stringent measures despite positive infection rates. Raymond Johansen still eases the veil on when the time may be right.
Recently, infection rates have fallen sharply both nationally and in the capital, and on Monday, chief physician Preben Aavitsland at the National Institute of Public Health (NIPH) said that probably has come through the Easter holidays without a worsening situation.
– This may be due to the fact that people have complied with the advice, and that contact between people has mainly taken place outdoors where the risk of infection is less, the FHI top believes.
Nevertheless, Johansen already announced on Sunday that continued high infection pressure and many hospitalizations lead to the maintenance of the intervention measures.
– Infection rates have recently flattened out and appear to be declining. This indicates that the strict measures that apply in Oslo are now having an effect. It is very positive, not least because it is a mutated and more contagious variant of the coronavirus that dominates now, says the city council leader to Nettavisen.
Also read: Gunnar Stavrum: Fatal infectious stupidity threatens us all
– Will consider
But Johansen also points out that if you look at the corona pandemic as a whole, there is still no doubt that the infection rates are still very high. In addition, there is another thing that worries the city council leader.
– We also test fewer than a few weeks ago. Thus, there is a danger that we do not catch as much infection as before. It is still not entirely certain how Easter has affected the infection situation in the city, says Johansen.
Facts about the corona outbreak in Norway
- 687 corona deaths have been reported to the National Institute of Public Health (NIPH). The age group with the most deaths is people who are 80–89 years old, and 53 per cent of all deaths are men. FHI emphasizes that it is not always possible to know whether the patient has died of or with covid-19.
- On 27 December 2020, the first coronary vaccine was introduced in Norway. To date, 869,119 people have received the first dose, and 296,302 have received the second dose.
- To date, 11,434 cases of the British virus variant have been found in Norway, and 396 cases of the South African variant. The figures include both confirmed and probable proven variants.
- 103,966 people have been diagnosed with the coronavirus in Norway since February last year, the Infectious Diseases Message System (MSIS) shows on Monday. Until Sunday, 4,858,998 tests were performed in the country.
- The average age of those who have been diagnosed with infection was 35 on Sunday. There are 55,493 men who have been diagnosed with the infection, and 48,473 women.
- The infection number, or R-number, says how many an infected person transmits further. From March 15, 2021, the R number has been 0.86, according to FHI.
- 288 corona patients were hospitalized on Monday. There are twelve more than before the weekend.
- The patients are distributed as follows in the health regions: Health south-east 250, Health west 28, Health Central Norway 9 and Health north 1.
- 56 patients received treatment with a respirator on Monday. There is one less than before the weekend.
- Until Sunday, a total of 726 patients had been admitted to the intensive care unit.
(Sources: Norwegian Directorate of Health, NIPH)
(© NTB)
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On Monday, Assistant Health Director Espen Nakstad stated VG that one can expect the proper conclusion of the infection figures from Easter on Tuesday, since one has then had a whole week of testing.
Johansen also wrote on his Facebook-side that on Wednesday they will consider easing certain measures “if the situation allows it”.
– If Tuesday’s infection figures look as positive as expected, can one then expect relief on what you refer to as “the most intrusive measures aimed at children and young people”, as well as the rule with a maximum of two visitors?
– The City Council will assess the infection situation in the next few days, and on Wednesday we will present which measures will apply in Oslo in the future. We will be very careful with relief and will not take any chances, says Johansen.
Monday updated infection control supervisors from the Norwegian Directorate of Education were introduced in Oslo, which in practice is an even stronger tightening.
Also read: Nearly 900,000 Norwegians have been vaccinated – see when it’s your turn
– Some weeks
Previously, the city council leader in the capital has supported the government’s decision not to date the reopening of the country.
This is because you are still not vaccinated well enough, and there are still several uncertainties.
There are also no plans to present a reopening plan for Oslo this week, but Johansen still says that hopefully one does not have to wait too long.
– Our hope is that the measures we now have will push the infection further down so that we can open up again in a few weeks, he says.
Oslo Municipality announced a press conference on Wednesday to provide more detailed information about the measures
Also read: Preliminary autopsy report after Gaarder death: Compatible with COVID-19
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