The Smittestopp tracking app does not register the infection quickly enough and thus has no effect when the infection pressure is at the current level, according to immunologists.

“I think it is reasonably certain that you will be exposed to infection in a relatively short time, and there is little reason to believe that the app will inform you when it happens,” immunology researcher Gunnveig Grødeland at the University of Oslo told Norwegian Broadcasting (NRK).

Professor and immunologist Anne Spurkland agrees with Grødeland’s comments. They believe the app currently has no function because the authorities’ encouragement is that people only test themselves if they have symptoms or live with someone who is infected. Thus, many people may be infected without knowing it.

“With the high infection pressure we have in Norway now, and the short time it takes from being infected by the omicron variant until you get symptoms, we must probably all be extra vigilant about symptoms in the coming weeks – whether we get a notification from the Smittestop app or not,” assistant health director Espen Nakstad stated.

It is currently not possible to register self-tests in the app, but the National Institute of Public Health (FHI) believes it will be possible within a few days.

Source : © NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today / #NorwayTodayNews

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