Christmas party in Norway causes biggest outbreak of microns outside South Africa

No less than 13 people in Oslo the capital Norway, infected with varante Omicron of coronavirus after a corporate birthday party, and the number could rise to more than 60, authorities said Friday (3).

The outbreak occurred on November 26, hosted by Scatec Renewable Energy, which operates in South Africa, where the alternative was first discovered.

“This concert was a ‘super broadcast’ event,” Preben Avetsland, a physician at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, told Reuters by email.

“Our hypothesis is that at least half of the 120 participants contracted the Omicron variant during the party. This makes this, to date, the largest outbreak of Omicron outside South Africa.”

In addition to those infected at the event, two people living on the country’s west coast and two people quarantined at Oslo Airport were confirmed to be carriers of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus.

The outbreak prompted the Norwegian government to reimpose some national restrictions to curb the spread of Covid-19.

Across Europe, companies are canceling Christmas party plans due to the emergence of tension.

the party

The first person in Oslo confirmed to be infected, as at least one employee who had just returned from South Africa attended the event, and all participants were fully vaccinated and tested negative prior to the event.

“Health authorities have confirmed 12 cases of Omicron in Oslo following the outbreak,” the city of Oslo said in a statement. To date, 13 cases of omicron have been confirmed after sequencing. More cases are expected.”

Health officials said the infected individuals have had mild symptoms so far, and none have been hospitalized.

“It is still too early to say whether the clinical picture of the disease is different for omicron infection and delta infection,” Avetsland said. None of the patients showed severe symptoms. None of them were hospitalized. However, this is unexpected, given the young age of the participants.”