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– We are concerned that we may have a leak to other parts of the population and we must avoid this by all means, says health director Bjørn Guldvog from the Norwegian Health Directorate.
On Saturday night, the Sarpsborg Municipality confirmed that 35 new people in Sarpsborg and Fredrikstad had been diagnosed with coronary heart disease after holding a Muslim holiday last week.
This means that about 200 people have been confirmed infected and more than 1,100 people are in quarantine after tagging. At the same time, it is not ruled out that even more cases of contagion will be confirmed during the weekend.
– We have not yet finished tracking the infection, but so far everything indicates that the vast majority of new cases can be seen in connection with the large outbreak that is occurring, says municipal chief physician Siri Brelin in Sarpsborg.
On Saturday, it was also announced that 34 employees at St. Olav Hospital in Trondheim and Haukeland Hospital in Bergen had been quarantined, following infections at the two hospitals.
Health Minister Bent Høie says development with several local outbreaks was expected.
– But we are concerned about the increase in infection rates. This means that the government should use this development as a background for the decisions that we will make in the coming weeks, about what the next direction will be, Høie tells NRK.
Follow the situation closely
Both the National Institute of Public Health and the Norwegian Health Directorate are closely monitoring the situation in the two towns of Østfold. The National Institute of Public Health collaborates directly with municipalities, according to Guldvog.
– The municipality is doing a fantastic job here, which so far claims to have an overview. But we must be attentive to the situation we have now, he says.
Health director Bjørn Guldvog says it is important that people who think they may have been in contact with infected people are quarantined and communicate with health authorities.
Photo: Heiko Junge / Heiko Junge
He encourages everyone who may have been in contact with the infected to self-quarantine and contact health institutions.
– It is very important that everyone involved and that they know it contributes to making the detection of infections as effective as possible, he says.
Høie emphasizes that it is important for those who are quarantined to relate to him.
– We see that many do, and it is very good, because that way we can help prevent the infection from spreading further. The fact that municipalities quarantine so many to ensure they maintain control is a very good measure, he says.
TESTING CENTER: The Korona Center in Sarpsborg has been in full swing lately.
Photograph: Christian Nygaard-Monsen / NRK
Refuses to make contact
Sofie Lund Danielsen, a municipal chief doctor in Fredrikstad, tells Fredriksstad Blad that many of those who participated in the Muslim event refuse to say who they have been with.
– But, to stop this outbreak, we are completely dependent on obtaining the names of all possible close contacts and with whom all those infected may have been in contact, he tells the newspaper.
MARKING: It was in this building in Sarpsborg that the religious event was held in late August.
Photo: Tor René Stryger / NRK
Guldvog from the Norwegian Health Directorate says that information is the only way to get rid of the virus.
– We must encourage everyone to actively participate in the exchange of information. This is the way we can fight the virus in the best possible way.
The head of the Muslim faith community, Sadiq Baker Alezairjawi, does not want to be interviewed by NRK on Saturday. But in an earlier press release from the Sarpsborg Municipality, it says that participants are encouraged to contribute to tracking the infection.
– I was very surprised when they informed us about the infection. But we stopped the celebration right away and wanted to help ensure that everyone with the infection could be traced. I’ve been clear in telling members that everyone should help prevent further spread by taking tests and adhering to quarantine rules, he says.
Be in control of the situation
Karianne Bergmann, Sarpsborg municipal chief physician, says the municipality shares Guldvog and Høie’s concerns.
INFECTION MONITORING: Sarpsborg Municipal Chief Physician Karianne Bergmann says they can track infection in all cases so far.
Photograph: Christian Nygaard-Monsen / NRK
– It is a serious situation when we see that this is spreading to as many people as now, in the municipalities.
But as long as the municipality manages to trace the route of the infection, it is under control, he says.
The good news is that the infection does not appear to have spread outside the environment. Therefore, we believe that we still have some control over the outbreak, he says.
