By Bond Robertson 
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre (Labour) has announced some corona relief, but is not ready to allow further pressure on the Norwegian healthcare system.
Those who work in the health care system are accustomed to being under pressure, but I would not accept the suggestion that we now let the health care system bear the brunt of the burden that comes and goes. It’s an irresponsible act, and those who suffer the most, are the weakest among us: those who do get sick, Store tells NTB.
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The number of corona patients in Norwegian hospitals fell sharply last week. The number fell to 246 on Saturday, compared to 325 patients on Monday.
The pressure on health services remains the main reason why Norwegians have to live with interventional coronary procedures. But many, including Oslo city councilor Raymond Johansen (Labour), questioned whether hospital capacity was being so stretched that it was justified to keep thousands of jobs closed in the nightlife.
– The main reason for the actions is to have a health service that can do its job and provide every patient with safe and sound health care, and we have done that now. Store says there is a huge burden on those who work in hospitals.
monitoring
The most labor intensive corona patients are in intensive care units, and on Saturday there are a total of 97 intensive care patients admitted with corona, down from 108 on Monday.
According to the government, Norway has 647 intensive care units available during normal emergency preparedness, and currently less than 300 of them are in use.
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Although the number of corona patients in hospitals has decreased, Store is clear that the measures will continue until January 14 before reviewing them.
– I remind you that when we made these decisions in mid-December, the reactions were many that they were not very strong. Then we had control over the spread of infection and hospitalization, which makes people think it’s very intrusive. I understand that, especially those who feel they are losing their jobs, that the company is down, that they are affected in daily life, says Store, who announced Friday that there will be some relief on January 14.
– Hard Time
The prime minister notes that the pressure on hospitals has been great over time, and that it has been a difficult time for staff.
– It is also a difficult period in municipalities, in municipal health services, in nursing homes, ambulances, GP offices. I saw that the director of health said 170 municipalities said they were very close to the breaking point in capacity and staffing, which is a major reason for these measures.
He states that the infection remains to be controlled.
– If many get sick at the same time, it poses a challenge to other important functions in society as well.
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Norway is not closed
The prime minister says the government is now working on regulations for corona certification that can help vaccinated people live normally.
He stresses that there are still many countries that have stricter measures than Norway.
Norway is not closed. We have measures in place to limit contact, which is particularly affecting the nightlife and restaurant industry. It hurts to see that they are not allowed to drive as normal, and that many of them must remain closed.
Støre points out that schools are basically open, public transportation is running, and most workplaces are operating as usual, albeit with lots of home offices.
We want to bring our schools to the green level as quickly as possible, and the procedures to be as non-disturbing as possible for people’s lives, especially the weak and young. But we also want a health care system that can continue to function and provide us with safety. That’s what we’re turning to, he says.