Mutated coronavirus confirmed at Smestadhjemmet nursing home in Oslo

Seven cases of mutated coronavirus have been found at Smestadhjemmet nursing home in Oslo, the Oslo Municipality states.

On January 22, the National Institute of Public Health (FHI) was asked to analyze ten COVID-19-positive test results from Smestadhjemmet. 

Now, the results show that seven of the samples have the English COVID-19 mutation, the Municipality stated in a press release on Tuesday.

“We asked for an analysis of samples from Smestadhjemmet on Friday. On that day, we became aware that a COVID-19-sick employee has a direct link to the outbreak that is taking place in Nordre Follo,” the Nursing Home Agency director Helge Jagmann noted.

The employee tested positive for COVID-19 on January 6.

One department

“In retrospect, five residents and two other employees tested positive for COVID-19 in the same department.

“We have confirmed the mutated virus for seven infection cases but now assume that all eight were infected with the mutated virus.

“This does not indicate a spread to other residents or employees beyond one department,” Jagmann noted.

Nursing homes and health centers are closed to visitors until January 31, but exceptions are made for visits to residents who are in the last phase of their lives.

Source: #Norway Today, #NorwayTodayNews

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