In recent weeks, there has been an increase in corona infection in society, especially among children and young people.
«The highest number of reported cases in relation to the population in week 9 was observed in the age groups 13–19 years (128 per 100,000) and 20–39 years (96 per 100,000)», Writes the National Institute of Public Health (NIPH) in its latest weekly report.
The increase has been particularly evident in Oslo and Viken, where the new virus variants dominate, FHI points out.
– It worries, says municipal chief physician John David Johannessen in Drammen municipality to Dagbladet.
During the last 14 days, 145 new cases of infection have been detected in the municipality. There are 29 more cases than what was reported for the previous two-week period yesterday and closer to a tenfold increase compared to the number that was reported 15 days ago.
SPIT SPECIMENS: Oslo Municipality has started mass testing of students and teachers with saliva samples. The tests at Stovner upper secondary school are demonstrated here. Reporter: Frode Andresen. Photo: Marte Nyløkken Helseth / Dagbladet TV view more
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Holds back information
Testing, mapping of cases of infection, isolation of infected and quarantine for close contacts (TISK) are in other words absolutely crucial to prevent the infection numbers from rising further.
But this has proved difficult to follow up for the trace of infection in recent days, says Johannessen.
– There have been challenges with young people who have been infected at a party during the winter holidays, which for us took place last week, withholding information about who they have been with or met, he says.
– They do not want to tell the whole story, and then it will be difficult for the infection spores to break down the infection chains, he continues.
According to Johannessen, this is a new trend they are seeing now, and it poses a significant danger to the development of infection. He explains:
– Even though not many of the total number of infected people withhold information, they often have many close contacts. One thinks that it may not be so serious, and rather better than revealing that one has been to a party or broken infection control rules, but one contributes to the growth chains growing. For example, if you have been to a party with 10-15 pieces, you contribute to the corresponding number of infection chains. And then we get an incredible amount of infection in society.
The municipal chief also emphasizes that the municipality has almost exclusively been infected with the British virus variant now, and that this increases the risk of infection even more.
Johannessen’s message to the young people is thus clear: Report.
– According to the Infection Control Act, you are obliged to give up your close contacts. If you do not do that, you can contribute to the infection getting out of control, and we will have to introduce even stricter measures, which could have been avoided, he says.
– Can one be punished?
– No, breach of duty can neither be fined nor punished in any other way. It is important for me to emphasize this: If the party has already taken place, or the infection control offenses have been committed, it does not help us much that someone is fined or punished. What helps is to break down the chains of infection.
– In other words, so young people who have been to a party or broken rules do not have to worry when the traces of infection call?
– That’s right, they do not have to worry. We’re just looking to stop the infection.
NEW STRENGTHENING: On Tuesday 9 March, City Councilor Raymond Johansen (Labor Party) briefed on the corona situation in the capital. Video: NTB view more
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– Must take personal responsibility
In Oslo, too, compliance with measures among young people between the ages of 10-19 is worrying.
– The age groups where the infection has increased the most are those under 6, between 10-19 years and 30-39 years. There is particularly large growth in those between 10-19 years, where the infection has increased sixfold from week 6 to week 9, said health councilor Robert Steen (Labor) as the city council presented new austerity measures on Tuesday.
– Right now the situation is very serious. Each of us must take personal responsibility for reversing this development, begged city council leader Raymond Johansen (Labor).
In addition to sharpening the national closure that has characterized Oslo for months, he asked residents to avoid visits at home, have as few close contacts as possible and avoid gatherings indoors altogether.
