News studio – Now comes the cold

2:18 p.m.

Nakstad answers questions:

Assistant Health Director Espen Rostrup Nakstad visits Dagbladet’s live broadcast and answers questions from readers at 3:30 p.m. We’re watching the session here.

Norway is facing an increase in the number of cases of infection. That’s to be expected, says Nakstad.

“We didn’t expect a decline yet.” This is probably next December, where I was very much inside and around. The infection has increased towards Christmas and so far it seems that it has not decreased, maybe it has increased. We are in a difficult situation now. Hopefully we can see the effect of the measures already this week, says Nakstad.

Nakstad says the problem with high levels over a long period of time is that people get tired.

– It was easier this spring, because then people got more motivated when they saw that what they did actually helped. We do not have a very strong increase in infection, but we do not have a decline either. Therefore, we must take a skipper to try to turn the infection. We know that, although it is difficult now, we are now far inside, but there is more and more vaccination and we are approaching our even wider activity. There is light in the tunnel, but it is quite far right now and can be difficult for many, Nakstad admits.

It is recently known that Norway will receive 3.6 million additional doses of Pfizer vaccine.

– This is very good news. The ability to vaccinate, that’s what we want. The limit is how many doses we get in the country. The fact that we receive so many doses is very good news, given that it is possible to have vaccinated large parts of the adult population by summer, says Nakstad.

A Dagbladet reader asks if he can buy a plane ticket for the summer holidays.

– I believe that most European countries will go as far as vaccination in the future. It’s good, because then we have pretty similar rules. Those who have been vaccinated can be released from the summer quarantine if we get here. These are the things we are working on now in Europe. It’s too early to tell what summer will be like, but it will be easier to see in the winter, says Nakstad.

You can’t stop all traffic in Norway to avoid infection upon import, asks another reader.

– It’s a sign of a diving company. The reason we do not do this is that it will have major consequences, as will cuts in society at large. Those who are already isolated will get worse. If we eliminate the infection without having to close things, it is a great, great advantage. In Norway, we have the advantage, when we are in a favorable situation compared to others, that we do not have to close everything. We have slightly easier measures, but it is also difficult. Here, there will be ongoing evaluations in the future. We have to take it step by step, says Nakstad.

– Is it possible to say something about how the latest measures already work?

– It’s too early. We probably need a week, maybe even two, to see the effect. But we are watching closely how it will affect the situation of the infection, says Nakstad.

Nakstad says municipalities have a system to inform the public about when they will be vaccinated. They may be called by the family doctor or otherwise called. For now, you can take it easily, Nakstad thinks.

“What you can do is follow the local newspaper and the municipality’s website so you can be sure you’re getting the information you need,” says Nakstad.

A reader wonders if you are exempt from quarantine if you already had a crown.

In the case of Norway, if you documented a positive virus test less than six months ago, you can come to Norway without having to be quarantined. But if you go to another country, you need to familiarize yourself with the rules of that country.

Another reader wonders if they go six weeks after vaccination before they become immune.

– At the first dose, the immune system begins to increase and, after the second dose, three weeks later, it takes a week or two until the full immune response arrives. Then you have protection against the virus.

Jasmin wonders if she can visit her boyfriend in Sweden without shopping or doing other things.

“She certainly can, but she needs to be quarantined when she gets home.” He can take her home. If she takes a TCR test on the seventh day, if they are negative, she can be quarantined on the eighth day. But you have a quarantine obligation anyway, says Nakstad.

On Sunday, a recommendation was made not to visit or visit. But we can still have a friend in our arms, Nakstad believes.

– Is OK. What we don’t want is to be with many friends and hug them. You can be with friends outdoors, but avoid it indoors, says Nakstad.

Nakstad is still asked about the mutation of the virus and whether we can expect the same trend of infection as in the UK.

– We are afraid that it will dominate more in Norway, that more and more people will be infected by it. So far, only about twenty people have been diagnosed in Norway, especially among travelers. But there is a risk of having an outbreak, one that will be harder to stop, simply because it is so contagious. The better we can keep the mutated varieties at bay, the better. In the meantime, we will vaccinate more people. The Pfizer vaccine also works on this infectious variant, says Nakstad.

– If you had the crown, can you be infected with the new moved version? asks a reader.

– You are probably well protected against it, in the same way that the vaccine works well against the new one. I don’t think you should be worried about what we know today. But if the virus develops more, we need to look at it again. Those who have had the crown will also be given a vaccine, as it is believed that the vaccine will have a longer lasting effect. Then, in any case, you will be well protected against the new variant, Nakstad answers.

Nakstad is asked if the vaccine is safe. Nakstad says the likelihood of getting the vaccine is very, very low.

– It is important that you follow the public information about the vaccine and familiarize yourself with the information when you are given a vaccine. Both vaccines we have in Norway are approved in Europe for use in adults. This is because they have a good effect and are safe – no serious side effects have been reported. Some side effects need to be considered, headaches and fever may be completely normal. To date, there are no reports of many serious side effects. Anyone who receives the vaccine is monitored for side effects, and the more vaccines are given, the more confident we become that the vaccine is safe. We watch all the time, says Nakstad.

Nakstad says he, like many others, is not currently in the vaccination queue.

“You have to wait your turn.” When you receive the offer, you can get the vaccine, says Nakstad.

Nakstad encourages outdoor activity. However, the routes require people to restrict traffic to Oslomarka.

– This applies to all outdoor activities, whether skiing, ice skating or just walking – it is an advantage if you travel as little as possible by public transport. You should leave home as much as you can if you can. If you have to travel by public transport, you should do so at a time when not many others do, keep your distance and wear a face mask. In Oslo, a lot happened last weekend, and from now on, it’s important to plan your trip at other times than others, says Nakstad.

A reader living alone will take a coronation test tomorrow – and is wondering if he can take a taxi to the test. Nakstad says you can do this if you have no symptoms, then you can use a bandage and you can go and test yourself.

– It is important to wear a face mask and be healthy when traveling. Then you have to find a practical solution and the best thing is not to travel by public transport, says Nakstad.

However, the safest thing will be if someone you live with can drive you a good distance, says Nakstad.