Bård Ludvig Thorheim wants more coronary vaccines for Vesterålen after outbreak – NRK Nordland

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The outbreak in Vesterålen has been extensive.

In Sortland alone, 56 infections were reported on Monday night since Tuesday last week.

– I would say that the situation is serious. There are more people who have been infected since Tuesday than there were throughout the pandemic in Sortland. These are large numbers, says infection control doctor in Sortland municipality, Hedda Mørch.

In Øksnes, the number is 33, while five new cases were confirmed in Hadsel on Monday.

On the basis of disappointing figures, the parliamentary candidate for Nordland Høyre, Bård Ludvig Thorheim, wants Vesterålen to receive more vaccines than elsewhere.

– I believe that if we are not able to reduce the infection locally, and there is a persistent situation, then we must consider extraordinary, national measures.

Criticized skewed distribution

Thorheim has previously been critical of the skewed distribution of vaccines to central areas with a high infection pressure.

– We have now had small and large outbreaks all over the country, both in larger cities and small municipalities. But they have managed to put down those outbreaks without calling for priority in the vaccine queue. I believe that Oslo’s management must now achieve the same as has been achieved in the rest of the country, Thorheim added VG in March.

Now, however, he will try to ensure that Vesterålen’s municipalities are better equipped against the virus in the time to come.

– You yourself have been critical of this, have you changed your mind?

– I have been opposed to us politically deciding skewed distribution. But when there was such clear professional advice that would lead to everyone getting better out of the pandemic, then of course you have to agree to it. Fortunately, that period is soon over, so in August Nordland will receive more vaccines.

– How should more vaccines help when the outbreak is already so large?

– As I said, this should be done if there is a persistent situation, and you do not reduce the infection. But the good thing is that the vulnerable groups have already been vaccinated, and I hope that it is beaten down locally. However, we cannot have regions with a low vaccination rate.

FHI has previously stated that already from week 29, ie last week, the skewed distribution has been discontinued.

Came from nightclubs

Many of those infected in Sortland have been to the nightclub “Blå Bar”. It is suspected that it is the delta variant that is ravaging the north of Nordland.

All the municipal chief physicians in Vesterålen have joined forces on joint measures after the outbreak.

The aim is for everyone to stay as much as possible where they belong, says Mørch.

– We need people to limit their social contact with others, so that this does not spread more than it has already done. People must also stick to the municipality they belong to.

Local regulations have also been introduced, which until further notice last until 31 July. These include, among other things, stop drinking at midnight, and restrictions for private gatherings throughout Vesterålen.