The Minister of Health: – We consider this carefully
Kjerkol has previously been determined that Norway will not introduce new infection control measures, as Denmark did on Monday.
The neighboring country again declares covid-19 a socially critical disease. I add that they are reintroducing corona passport requirements at indoor eateries, nightclubs and major events.
When asked by TV 2 whether Norway is also evaluating measures, the Minister of Health points out that there are still some national measures. Like staying home if you are ill, certain entry restrictions and the municipalities’ downgraded TISK.
– So we still have national initiatives, and we chose not to go ahead with winding them down weeks ago. So we follow closely. What the situation is now is that we have more posts in total, not just of covid patients, and we follow the whole and the total capacity load for the health services, both in the hospitals and in the municipalities.
Assess continuously
– But is it relevant with new initiatives?
– We assess this continuously. It is very important that the municipality also uses its authority locally to introduce measures and impose those they believe can be pressured on the health service. I have had it with them since I joined, so we follow many meetings
– Do you encourage the introduction of local infection control measures?
– We have several municipalities that do this, both with recommendations, but also through local regulations. We have this both in Tromsø and in Trondheim.
– Is it realistic that Norway will introduce infection control measures such as Denmark has done?
– We have not introduced any new initiatives now, but we are following the situation closely.
– Is it relevant this week?
– We are assessing this carefully, and so far we have not assessed new initiatives, no.
Urgent third dose for those over 65
Denmark has also previously used the corona passport to control the infection in society. Among other things at indoor restaurants and concerts. Norwegian authorities have not closed this in this country either.
– The Storting has given authority to use the corona passport for relief, so it must be used in such a context. And that is one of the things we have to assess continuously.
On Tuesday, 187 corona-infected patients were admitted to hospital around Norway. It’s less than Monday. 19 of the patients receive respiratory treatment, while 45 are in the intensive care unit.
Last week, 61 percent of the corona patients admitted to Norwegian hospitals were fully vaccinated. Kjerkol believes this shows that it is urgent to get everyone over the age of 65 vaccinated with the third dose.
– We see that the age average of the admitted covid patients has remained at 77 years. This means that the oldest are still the most vulnerable, so it is important that the municipalities work with being offered the third vaccine dose to everyone over the age of 65.
The Minister of Health assures that Norway is well covered with vaccine doses for this.