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The infection has increased dramatically in Oslo in the last 24 hours. Another 55 people are infected, compared with 26 the day before.
Last week there were 306 new infections, more than 100 more than the previous week.
– The situation in Oslo is serious. This is a high number and a sharp increase over the previous weeks. We must stop this development and we must do it now. If the number of infected continues to rise so steeply, we must reintroduce very intrusive measures, says health adviser Robert Steen (Labor).
14 of the 15 districts are red. The outbreak is greatest in the district of St. Hanshaugen, where 142 people are infected per 100,000 inhabitants, shows the summary of the municipality.
– I see with concern that now many are bored, understandably, but now it is more important than ever that we persevere. We will keep control of the infection situation in Oslo, but then we need the help of the people of Oslo, says the health council.
MEASURES: Health Councilor Robert Steen says he is considering introducing stricter corona measures in Oslo as a result of the ongoing outbreak. Photo: Vidar Ruud / NTB
Considering new measures
On Monday, the city council announced new infection control measures in Oslo. Since Tuesday, it was forbidden to meet with more than ten people in private homes. In addition, the recommendation for face masks has been expanded to apply to all places where there are many people.
Nightclubs are also encouraged to register guests, so that detecting infections when someone tests positive is more effective.
– We have not had such high infection rates since April 3. We then registered 90 new cases of infection. The city council is closely monitoring the situation and will consider further measures if necessary, Steen says.
Understand that people get bored
Mayor Marianne Borgen (SV) says she is impressed with the way Oslo residents have come together and handled the pandemic since March. At the same time, she understands that people have grown tired of living with infection control rules and restrictions.
INFECTION: Mayor Marianne Borgen (SV) believes that a national spirit of service is more important than ever to reduce infection in Oslo. Photo: Terje Pedersen / NTB
– I understand that people get tired and that you get a little bored. This is longer than we both expected and thought. As we face a colder and darker time, it becomes more important that we remind each other what this is all about: that we take care of each other and that we save lives. Now we have to persevere, he says.
Borgen points out that general infection control rules remain the most important in curbing infections. She encourages everyone to have good hand hygiene, keep their distance and wear bandages in places where it is not possible to comply with the subway rule.
Also, ask everyone who may have a home office, so as not to overload public transport. If you still have to travel by public transport, she recommends traveling outside of peak hours.
– It is now more important than ever that we cooperate, and that we have the unity and spirit of service that the people of Oslo have shown since March, says Borgen.
Worried about wearing a mask
Since the city council issued a strong blanket call to wear face masks, the minority have been seen wearing face masks on buses and trams in Oslo.
Annoyed by the masks: – I want my colleagues to come back
– It is worrying that many do not follow the recommendation to use a bandage. Although it is not usual to join, we have to choose one for the team, says Borgen.
She notes that usage is especially important now, as the bus strike causes trams and the subway to fill up during rush hours.
– Even if you are not in the risk group, it means a lot to other people who can get sick from the virus, says Borgen.
Neither the mayor nor the health council will respond if they plan to impose a court order.
– It is too early to say how many people follow the bandage recommendation. Ruter has observers who monitor mask use, says health advisor Robert Steen.
Set millions to test
The Health Council believes that residents of Oslo must take collective responsibility for the infection situation.
– Now we must take responsibility together, for each other and for our city. Those who have symptoms should be tested, even if the symptoms are mild. This also applies to those who have previously tested negative and have now had a new round of symptoms, Steen says.
At the same time as testing is encouraged, Oslo is working to increase testing capacity.
To achieve the goal of being able to test five percent of the population a week, which is equivalent to 35,000 tests, one billion has been booked, confirmed City Councilor Raymond Johansen, Dagbladet.
The Health Council says the municipality’s services are under pressure in relation to the increase in infection. Therefore, it also calls for national solutions to facilitate the work of infection detection.
– Our services are under pressure. So it would be nice if we could get national solutions with infection stop app and new solutions for infection testing and detection. As the system is today, municipalities require an enormous amount of resources and we have to move employees that we would like to use for other tasks, says Steen.
It will take time
The National Institute of Public Health says it will be time before it can see if the new measures in Oslo take effect.
– We are closely monitoring the situation with the city of Oslo and will gradually see how these measures work. They should be given some time to work before we do an assessment, says Line Vold, department director for the National Institute of Public Health.
– Still don’t see any effect?
– Not right away, because it takes a while from when people get infected until they get sick and from being tested until they are registered, says Vold.
