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On Monday, the EU approved the first coronary vaccine. But the new coronavirus discovered in the UK creates new fears and leads to border closures.
The UK started vaccination on December 8. Margaret Keenan (90) was the first to be vaccinated. Norway begins Christmas in space. Photo: Jacob King, NTB / Reuters.
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) approved the coronary vaccine from Pfizer and Biontech on Monday. A few hours later, it was formally approved by the European Commission. Mass vaccination can begin.
The Health Ministry writes in a press release that the first vaccine delivery will likely arrive in Norway on December 26.
The Pfizer and Biontech vaccine is one of several vaccines that Norway can receive through the EU system. Steinar Madsen, director of the Norwegian Medicines Agency, tells NTB that it is conceivable for Norway to start with one vaccine and continue with another.
The trucks are ready to transport vaccines to EU countries from Pfizer’s production facilities in Puurs, Belgium. Photo: Valentin Bianchi / AP
– There are some things that we still do not know, such as how long the protection of these vaccines lasts. It may be that the protection of the first vaccine is reduced, and then it may be relevant to use another vaccine, but we do not know. This is something we need to find out as we use the vaccine and get more experience, says Madsen.
1.7 million died
Although vaccination can begin now, it will take a while before enough people are vaccinated to reduce the spread of infection. At the same time, many countries are now hard hit by a massive wave of infections.
Almost 1.7 million people have died from the coronavirus and the number of confirmed infections worldwide is 77 million.
A victim of the crown is buried in St. Petersburg, Russia, on December 15. In the past week, the number of reported daily corona deaths around the world approached 14,000 individual days. Photo: Dmitri Lovetsky / AP
In the past week, several dismal records were set in the pandemic. On December 15 alone, nearly 14,000 new deaths were reported, according to figures from Johns Hopkins University.
NIPH: Most patients are under 70
In a new risk assessment, the National Institute of Public Health (NIPH) is warning those who believe that only the elderly can become seriously ill from the crown.
– We have noticed that part of the population believes that only the elderly can get serious diseases. In the risk assessment, therefore, we note that 70 percent of those admitted to the hospital and 66 percent of those in need of intensive care are under the age of 70, says department director Line Vold, in a press release.
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FHI: We must expect to live with the epidemic for many more months
FHI assumes that the new variant of the virus that has been discovered in England can hardly be eradicated in the UK. This means that it will probably eventually spread in Europe and eventually reach Norway, if it is not already here.
Line Vold of the National Institute of Public Health estimates that Norwegians will have to live a life marked by the epidemic for many more months. Photo: Olav Olsen
The NIPH notes that there will be a continuing danger of the pandemic spiraling out of control in the first half of 2021. Norway you must expect to live with the epidemic for many more months.
New infection apps for tracking
On Monday, Norway’s new infection app was launched. Although a vaccine is on the way, the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH) believes that an application could be important in stopping the spread of the infection. It will take some time before everyone is vaccinated and the virus is safe.
The app will make it easy to track infections.
Earlier this year, the FHI app was pulled, especially as privacy was not well cared for enough. With the new app, personal information remains on the phone.
The Minister of Health and Health Services, Bent Høie, presents the new application. Photo: Borgen, Ørn
The new mobile application developed in Denmark does not use GPS data and does not upload personal information to a central server. It will only be used to track infections, not for analysis or research.
Information that users enter about coronary heart disease is only shared when the user wants it. In the same way, the user will be notified if someone else enters information about infection and they have been close. The more people download it, the greater the benefit of the application.
The Data Inspectorate is satisfied with the privacy of the new application.
Fear of British infection: flight stops
Several countries are implementing measures to protect themselves against the new variant of the coronavirus that has been discovered in the United Kingdom. It is 70 percent more contagious than the original virus.
But those who are infected don’t get sick anymore, and experts estimate that the vaccine also works against the new virus.
The ferry roads between Holland and England are empty. The photo was taken in Hook in the Netherlands on Monday. Photo: PETER DEJONG / AP
The new variant of the virus leads to a series of measures in many European countries. Everybody is trying to reduce contact with the British.
On Monday morning, Norway halted all direct flights to the UK with immediate effect. In the first instance, this applies for two days, that is, until Christmas Eve. This happened after several other European countries did the same. Ferry traffic across the English Channel has also stopped.
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Two planes from London were supposed to land at Gardermoen on Monday afternoon, while two planes were expected from Aberdeen to Bergen and Stavanger. These flights were canceled. Many who want to go to Norway for Christmas will be stuck in the UK.
Everyone must register when they come to Norway
As of Monday, everyone entering Norway must register. The record includes, but is not limited to, name, contact information, quarantine location, and any employers.
The requirement applies to both Norwegian and foreign citizens. The scheme is paper-based, pending a digital solution.
May be relevant with mandatory proof
Soon, the authorities may stumble even more. This can happen if everyone heading to Norway has to test themselves at the border. The opposition in the Storting has supported him.
The Health Minister, Bent Høie (H), has previously warned, but now he is slipping.
At the moment, he has volunteered to perform a crown test upon arrival in Norway. It can be changed. The photo was taken at the Oslo airport earlier this year. Photo: Fredrik Hagen
– We have no prestige related to this, Høie told NTB on Monday. Their previous skepticism stems from the fact that a negative test at the border can provide a false sense of security.
Health Director Bjørn Guldvog announced on Monday that the Norwegian Health Directorate will study the possibility of introducing a mandatory testing system upon entry using the new rapid tests.
The 20-year-old Øresund Bridge is a lifeline between Copenhagen and Malmö, connecting the two cities in a metropolitan area. Now the border with Sweden is closed to the Danes. Photo: TT NEWS AGENCY / X02350
Sweden excludes Denmark
Sweden decided on Monday afternoon to close the border with Denmark from midnight until Tuesday. The new British coronavirus has been discovered in Denmark, and the Swedes are trying to keep it out of a country that is already the hardest hit by the coronavirus in the Nordic countries. Almost 8,000 Swedes have so far died from the virus. Norway, which has half the population, has recorded just over 400 deaths.
Swedish Interior Minister Mikael Damberg also notes that there is generally a high spread of the infection in Denmark. So far, more than 1,000 people have died from the virus.
