The spread of infection remains at a relatively low level

The spread of infection is still at a relatively low level in the general population, the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH) states in its weekly report.

This is despite the fact that the number of reported cases in the last two weeks is at a significantly higher level than it has been during the summer, NIPH states.

– The increase in the number of reported cases in recent weeks can largely be attributed to local outbreaks in Bergen and Fredrikstad / Sarpsborg and an increase in the number of reported cases in Oslo, where many cases can be linked to infection in small groups and some outbreaks that the municipality and districts handle locally, the report states.

Far more are being tested
Far more people are tested weekly now than in March and April, which according to NIPH means that a larger proportion of those infected are detected – even those with mild symptoms.

In week 37, 20 hospital admissions with covid-19 as the main cause were reported. This is the highest number of new admissions in one week since week 17.

– It is currently too early to say whether there is an increasing trend, comments NIPH.

Infection among younger people
At the same time, NIPH sees no increase in the number of admissions to the intensive care unit or in deaths that can be linked to covid-19.

– This may be due to the fact that the infection in recent weeks has primarily occurred in younger people with a low risk of a serious course, and that the extensive testing and infection tracking means that we detect more cases with a mild course, the report states.

NIPH’s modeling indicates a low and relatively stable spread of infection in July and until the end of August. So far, it is estimated that about 1.5 percent of the population has been infected with covid-19.