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MOUNTAIN MEASURES: Crown measures at Knettsetra in the alpine center of Trysilfjellet this Easter. Photo: Halvard Alvik / NTB
The national infection trend is now declining, based on VG’s overview. However, the message from the Norwegian Health Directorate is very clear: strict measures are in place, at least until mid-May.
Since February 11, Norway has not had a declining trend in infection. Since then, the trend in the country has been flat or increasing. Now, however, the arrow points down: At midnight, the national trend in recorded infection was declining again, according to the VG summary. In 32 municipalities, the trend continues to increase.
Daily figures for Good Friday show that 640 new cases of coronavirus were recorded in Norway. This is 194 cases less than the average of the previous seven days, which is 834.
On Wednesday, 871 new cases of infection were registered in Norway, while on Thursday it was 691. Overall, fewer people register as infected on holidays and weekends than on weekdays.
The development is good news, but it does not affect the strict level of measures immediately.
– The situation is very fragile
– The efforts that people have made to fight the infection seem to be paying off. We’re very happy with that, says Health Director Bjørn Guldvog at VG’s Norwegian Health Directorate.
However, it cannot promise any relief in the first place.
– The situation is still very fragile, and although the R number is around 1, there are many carriers out there and it takes little for us to have major outbreaks, he explains.
THE HEALTH DIRECTOR: Bjørn Guldvog at the Norwegian Health Directorate. Photo: Mattis Sandblad
Guldvog says that it is therefore too early to start easing the measures now.
– We will probably have to settle for fairly strict measures throughout April. Perhaps we can expect relief by mid to late May, if we can keep infection numbers low and vaccination goes according to plan, predicts the health director.
Therefore, Norwegians must settle for strict measures at least until the end of this month, and probably a little longer.
What measures apply where you are? See for yourself in the VG measures overview.
Higher risk at Easter
– We are pleased that infection rates appear to be stabilizing, even though the level of infection remains too high, says Secretary of State Saliba Andreas Korkunc at the Ministry of Health and GBV Care Services.
He also warns of a still unclear situation, noting that in recent weeks there have been several outbreaks of coronavirus across the country.
– The Easter holidays also lead to a higher risk of spreading the infection because many can travel more than usual and meet more than usual, he says, and elaborates:
– A single case very quickly leads to larger outbreaks. The more contagious variants of the virus contribute to more serious illness and are more difficult to stop. So it will be exciting to know if we have a continued decline in infection rates over Easter, Korkunc says.
