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INFECTION: Ten people living in Blindern’s dormitory in Oslo have been diagnosed with corona infection after a student party. Photo: Jon Olav Nesvold / NTB
So far, ten people have been confirmed with corona infection after a party at Blindern Studenterhjem in Oslo. The district superintendent thought that the event could be held within a safe framework.
Blindern Studenterhjem board chairman Netti Fuglesang says the infection is related to a private meeting that took place last Monday.
– An outside guest was visiting here and has been infected, unknowingly, Fuglesang tells VG.
On the Saturday of the following week, two social events were held in the dormitory.
– It was about a dinner and a small event. Both events have been held in accordance with current infection control rules and the participants have had permanent seats, says Fuglesang.
The events mentioned must have been clarified with the district chief and the events office in Oslo in advance.
– We had a meeting with the district on Thursday, where we presented our plans. Then there were 71 participants who were going to this party. The district superintendent said the event could be held because we had very good infection control plans and measures, says Gro Osland, director of the NRK student home, who also mentioned the case first.
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Between 30 and 40 in quarantine
Fuglestang claims they were notified of the first confirmed case of infection in the bedroom on Monday, October 5.
– Then we immediately contact the district infection control team, says the chairman of the board.
NRK reported Thursday afternoon that 200 had been quarantined, but Fuglestang points out to VG that there are actually 30 and 40 students who have been quarantined.
– However, we have encouraged all those who have participated in the event and who have doubts about whether they may have been exposed to the infection to enter into voluntary quarantine, he says.
– My impression is that the vast majority are willing to contribute to this solidarity event and that they see the seriousness of the situation.
TIP FOLLOWED: Blindern Studenterhjem board chairman Netti Fuglestang tells VG that this weekend’s event was held in accordance with current infection control rules. Photo: Private
The student home at Blindern in Oslo has single rooms, combined rooms and double rooms.
To limit further spread of infection, the bedroom has been tightened up in cleaning and disinfected common areas. Food will no longer be served in the cafeteria, but students will receive food at their door.
The chairman of the board says they were subsequently informed that a nachspiel will have been held after dinner, but emphasizes that this was not part of the official event.
– We have been informed that this has happened and this is something we are working on and finishing now, he says.
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District Chief Physician: Well-Kept Infection Control
Nordre Aker district chief physician Tom Sundar tells VG that the organizers of the party in question first contacted him in the middle of last week. Sundar believed that the event could take place in a safe environment.
– I also had a video meeting with the management and the students the day before the party, where we went through the infection control measures and the setting of the table, he tells VG.
Sundar says he perceived it as a well-planned event regarding infection control and believes it was not in conflict with key regulations and recommendations.
Among other things, it was planned that the participants would sit in fixed places in cohorts. There should also be infection control guards present to ensure that people abide by the distance rule and are not intoxicated.
SAFE: Nordre Aker District Physician Tom Sundar says it was safe to hold the event, as infection control measures were good enough. Photo: Private
High infection pressure in Oslo
On Thursday, it became clear that the Oslo City Council would continue with the strict crown measures. The replacement of the government will not be introduced in the capital either.
– We have evaluated all relief very thoroughly based on our local infection situation. The conclusion is clear: we must currently have stricter rules in Oslo than in the rest of the country, said Councilor Raymond Johansen (Labor Party) about the national relays that apply from October 12.
80 people infected with corona have been registered in Oslo in the last 24 hours. There are 33 more cases than yesterday, the highest number recorded in the last 14 days. Shows statistics of the municipality of Oslo.
It was also announced yesterday that twice as many cases of infection were registered in Oslo in September than in August.
– Is it justifiable to celebrate such a party when the infection situation in Oslo is as it is?
– We see that student communities are more exposed to intimate contact than other communities. We will likely be more restrictive in the future, says the district superintendent.
– Can you elaborate?
– This means that the district and infection control chiefs will discourage meetings if they feel they are not justifiable and within a safe framework.
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Waiting for more positive test results
– Is there something that later you realize that you should have done differently?
– If we had known that there were infected people in the environment, we would have said no to such an event, says Sundar.
The district’s infection tracking team is now working hard to get an overview of the situation.
– We hope there will probably be more positive tests in the coming days, says the district superintendent.
