– We clearly see the results of the English virus variant dominating – VG

In recent weeks, the infection numbers in Oslo have been around 300 and 400 cases of infection per day. The latest overview shows that the number has dropped to 125 proven corona cases in the capital.

City councilor for health, the elderly and citizen services in Oslo, Robert Steen (Labor Party) tells VG that the low infection rates are expected.

– We have expected somewhat lower infection rates at Easter, so this comes as no surprise. But even if the number today is somewhat lower, we must remember that it is only a daily number.

Steen believes that the low infection rates do not point to a downward wave of infections – on the contrary. He believes that the English virus variant has the lead in Oslo.

Third wave of infection

– We are in a third wave of infection and clearly see the results of the English virus variant dominating in Oslo. It is more contagious and causes more serious illness. That is why the city council uses the strongest tools we have in the toolbox to beat down the infection, Steen tells VG.

On March 24, the government introduced new national corona measures. The reason for the national austerity measures was that the mutated virus was constantly spreading. Among other things, a national liquor ban was introduced and not one, but two meters away.

Oslo City Councilor Steen emphasizes that Easter must not be a holiday from the infection control rules.

– The City Council follows the infection situation closely, and if people follow the rules and are generally careful about what they do, we expect to see the effect of the measures over the next few weeks. But then the Easter holiday must not be a holiday from the infection control rules. We now have strict measures throughout the country, and this shows the seriousness of the situation, but also makes it easier to return to a normal situation more quickly.

—-–

Highest infection rate in Stovner district

As of today, the lowest infection is in Nordstrand with 306 infected per 100,000 inhabitants in the last two weeks, according to Oslo Municipality coronastatistikk. In the Old Oslo district, there are 695.4 infected per 100,000, while in the Sagene district, there are 532 infected.

The infection rates are highest in the Stovner district with 1570 infected per 100,000 inhabitants in the last two weeks. This is followed by the districts of Alna with 1402 and Grorud with 1224.

Andreas M. Behring, communications manager in the Stovner district, says that the largest source of infection is in the individual’s household. In recent days, 60 percent of those infected in the district have been infected in their own household.

– When a person in larger families is infected somewhere, the infection enters the household. This gives high numbers, he says to VG.

—-–

Behring says that the Stovner district sees a strong connection between living conditions and where there is a lot of infection, and that families who live in cramped conditions face a challenge if someone in the household becomes infected.

The municipality is now working on several measures to prevent more people from becoming infected. Among other things, they have corona converters that distribute face masks and alcohol in places where a lot of people travel, and in addition, the district has established several mobile test stations.

The district of Søndre Nordstrand also has a relatively high number of infections per 100,000 inhabitants: 963. District chief physician in Søndre Nordstrand, Anne Stine Garnes, says that there may be several reasons why the district has been relatively high during large parts of the pandemic.

– There can be many reasons for this, where living conditions, overcrowding, large households, occupational affiliation – occupations that require a physical presence at work and contact with many people, or the need to use public transport to work, may be some of the explanations, says Garnes to VG .

In order to limit the spread of infection and reduce the number of infections, the district is now actively working on various measures and attitude-creating work, says the district chief.

A total of 27,708 Oslo citizens have been registered infected since March last year.

Over 30,000 have been fully vaccinated

As of today, 31,687 have been vaccinated with the second dose in Oslo. 69,587 have received the first dose.

On Friday, NRK wrote that several Oslo residents say no to the vaccine because they do not want the vaccine in the middle of the holiday. Leader Øystein Fahre at the intensive care unit at Oslo University Hospital tells VG that he believes the decision appears as poorly thought out:

– That they dare. This appears to be an ill-considered priority. It can be many months until they are offered a vaccine again. People do not understand what they are risking.

VG’s Leif Welhaven comments: – It had to be Bærum

—-–

–