Oslo Health Councilor Steen: Earlier mass testing in schools could have slowed down the increase in infection

Robert SteenPhoto: Vidar Ruud / NTB

This week, Oslo started mass corona testing in schools. Health Councilor Robert Steen is pleased with the launch of mass testing but believes that earlier action could have slowed down the increase in infection.

Around 80,000 rapid tests will be used weekly in the future in Oslo schools. Such systematic mass testing has been used in several countries to reopen society, as well as to enable physical presence in schools as much as possible.

Steen told TV 2 that he is happy that the testing is now underway. However, he pointed out that mass testing should have started earlier.

“It was impossible for the municipalities to start this earlier because we have not had the equipment and tests for it. When you look at it in hindsight, the government should have probably opted for mass testing earlier so that the municipalities could start this earlier,” Steen said.

On Monday, 365 new cases of infection were registered in Oslo, most of them in the age group 10–19 years. Steen believes that earlier mass testing would have helped control the development of infection in schools earlier.

“The infection rates could have been lower,” Steen added.

According to the current testing plan, all students in Oslo schools will test themselves regularly, twice a week. The schools will choose whether the students will test themselves at school or at home. The test is voluntary, but students are encouraged to take it.

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

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